Recent Articles

Planned changes to Canada's seed variety registration system are going ahead to make what the government calls a "more flexible" system, but what critics call a slippery slope to let seed companies ram unproven varieties through to market.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a release Thursday that the amended Seeds Regulations, published this week in the Canada Gazette, will cut red tape in the system "while continuing to maintain the integrity of seed certification and environmental, food, and feed safety."

REBECCA DUBE

Globe and Mail Update
Last updated on Tuesday, Apr. 07, 2009 01:29AM EDT

For generations, grading grain has followed the same basic script: An inspector takes a sample of grain, looks it over, mentally compares it to all the grain he's seen before, and gives it a grade.

Of course, the local inspector and the port inspector could have quite different ideas of what makes a No. 2 Red, planting a measure of uncertainty for producers in the process.

By THE CANADIAN PRESS – 2 days ago

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — Canadian farmers are skeptical that a $20-million federal investment announced Friday to track livestock from grocery stores around the world back to Canadian farms will help beleaguered producers.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz unveiled the Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative at the end of a meeting between federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

With one major exception, Canada's federal and provincial agriculture ministers have committed to have a mandatory, nationwide traceability system for livestock and poultry in place by 2011.

Coming out of their meeting this week at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., the ministers on Friday jointly described such a system as "critical for managing animal health and food safety issues, as well as expanding market access and driving efficiencies."

Guelph, Ontario, June 26th, 2009 – Energrow Inc. was awarded the President’s Industrial Innovation Award at the 10th annual Guelph Awards of Excellence Gala held at the Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre on Thursday, June 25. The award was part of a set of community based business and volunteer awards set out to recognize individuals, groups, or businesses that have contributed to the enhancement of our local communities. The awards covered a diverse number of business sectors (including agricultural, financial, retail, sciences. etc.).

Hands-on workshops teach soybean growers to make own feed and fuel

Newton ON, June 18, 2009 – Farmers had the opportunity to learn the value growing in their soybean field last week at a two-day hands-on workshop held on June 11 and 12. The workshop explored practical ways for Ontario growers to gain value from their soybean crop by making their own feed and fuel.

In a recent article released on the Country Guide East web site, the author writes: "The federal government has released the final version of the "Biologique Canada Organic" logo for use starting next week on certified organic food sold in Canada.

"This organic logo allows consumers to make informed, confident choices," Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said in a release Wednesday. "At the same time, the new regulations will allow Canadian organic farmers to have their products recognized in this emerging market."

In an article by David Akin, Canwest News Service, Mr. Akin writes: "Scientists in Canada and around the world are racing to find a way to stop a destructive fungus that threatens to wipe out 80 per cent of the world's wheat crop, causing widespread famine and pushing the cost of such staples as bread and pasta through the roof.

Dans un article publié sur le site Internet de FeedStuff.com, M. Ian Elliott mentionne le ministre André Bellavance, vice-président du commité de l'agriculture et agroalimentaire; et M. Jean-Pierre Blackburn, L'honorable Jean-Pierre Blackburn ministre d’État (Agriculture).

Les deux représentants on demandé au gouvernement de réviser leurs position au sujet de l’étiquetage des produits alimentaires canadiens.

A Community Fundraiser- Help a Community- Eat a Lobster / Eat a Lobster-Help a Community

Georgetown, a small Prince Edward Island community has issued an appeal for help, “Help a Community - Eat Lobster / Eat Lobster –Help a Community” and Wolfe Island is perhaps is the first community outside of PEI to respond to that appeal.