Radiation In Japanese Food A Concern

The World Health Organization said on Monday that radiation in food after an earthquake damaged a Japanese nuclear plant was more serious than previously thought, eclipsing signs of progress in a battle to avert a catastrophic meltdown in its reactors. Engineers managed to rig power cables to all six reactors at the Fukushima complex, 240

Canada’s Pulse Exports To China Set To Rise

Canada’s pulse exports to China could take a big jump, following that country’s recent elimination of a major trade barrier to peas and other legume crops. China announced last week it had removed the maximum limit for selenium in imported food, a restriction that hampered sales of Canadian dry field peas to the Asian country.


Organic And Biotech Advocates Urged To Sort Out Their Differences

After months of prodding, Frank Valeriote has convinced organic farmers and growers of biotech crops to start talking to, rather than about, each other. The Liberal MP has persuaded representatives of both sides to meet this month in his Guelph riding and he hopes it’s the first of many such chats. He wants the two

Petition Started To Keep GE Alfalfa Out Of Manitoba

Manitobans opposed to genetically engineered alfalfa are taking their fight to the legislature. A petition started by the Manitoba Green Party is being circulated throughout the province to keep genetically engineered pesticide-resistant alfalfa crops out of Manitoba. “Manitoba needs to take action for change; we can be a catalyst for change and set an example


MPs Vote To Kill Market Acceptance Bill

Conservative and Liberal MPs voted Feb. 9 to defeat NDP Ag Critic Alex Atamanenko’s bill to require a marketing acceptance test in the process of approving new genetically engineered crops. But the issue of the future of GE crops, animals and fish isn’t going away. The Commons agriculture committee is in the midst of hearings

Manitoba Growers Edgy About GM Alfalfa Release In U.S.

Manitoba forage seed producers are dismayed, but not surprised that American regulators have released Roundup Ready alfalfa in the U.S. without restrictions. “Whoever thought that Roundup Ready wasn’t going to come to the market was living in a dream world,” said Adam Gregory, an alfalfa seed producer from Fisher Branch. The U.S. Department of Agriculture


Roundup Ready Alfalfa Nears Approval In U.S.

The American government is imminently expected to approve the commercial release of Roundup Ready alfalfa in the U.S. – a move which deeply worries Manitoba forage seed producers. Growers fear it’s just a matter of time before genes from the GM variety enter Canada, cross-contaminate non-GM alfalfa and wreck forage seed sales to Europe, which

Special Crops Estimates Increased

Ending stocks of the seven major pulse and special crops in Canada at the close of the 2010-11 crop year are expected to be higher than earlier expectations, according to updated supply-demand tables from Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada Market Analysis Division released mid-December. Ending stocks of the seven major special and pulse crops for


Canadian Pulse Processor Scoops International Business Award

Best Cooking Pulses, Inc., a Canadian-owned pulse-processing firm, has picked up an international award recognizing excellence among women-owned businesses. The award was presented by WEConnect Canada at the 2nd Annual WEConnect Canada national conference in Toronto from November 8 to 10, 2010. The company won the “Done Deal” award in the International category. WEConnect Canada

Canada-India Free Trade Talks Good News For Pulse Exports

A free trade agreement be twe en Indi a and Canada would be welcome news for Canadian pulse exporters as India is a major customer for the country’s peas and lentils, an official with Pulse Canada says. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced November 12 the start of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership between