Banana republics cut an EU deal Thursday, January 3, 2013 Last fall, according to The Economist, Latin American countries signed an agreement with the European Union (EU), ending a two-decade-long trade war over restricted imports of bananas. When the EU was formed, it had given preferential treatment to producers of bananas in Africa, the Pacific and even the Caribbean, whilst imposing quotas and tariffs on fruit from 11 Latin American countries. The Latin American countries began to push back 20 years ago and finally succeeded.The EU imports one third of the US$8 billion-worth of bananas exported around the world annually. Ecuador is expected to benefit and it is already Europe's biggest supplier. The Economist described this as the longest running dispute in the history of multi-national trade, a dubious distinction. Haven't Canada and the United States been arguing with the EU over exports of beef raised using implants for at least that long? BF Brazil subsidizes its agriculture January 2013- Natural culling or getting fleeced?
$12M Invested in Agri-Food Growth in Southern Ontario Thursday, March 6, 2025 The Government of Canada has announced an investment of over $12 million to support the growth and development of southern Ontario’s agri-food sector. This funding aims to help businesses scale up, adopt advanced technologies, and enhance production capabilities. Several organizations... Read this article online
U of G Advancing Soil Health Wednesday, March 5, 2025 The University of Guelph is taking a significant step forward in tackling climate change and advancing soil health, with the announcement of a new $4-million investment. This initiative, fueled by a $2 million gift from the Jarislowsky Foundation, matched by a contribution from the... Read this article online
International Women’s Day – Angela Cammaert Wednesday, March 5, 2025 As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Farms.com is asking women in ag about what they’d tell their younger selves about being a farmer, to give a piece of advice to young women entering the ag sector, and to highlight a woman in agriculture they consider a mentor or... Read this article online
Grain Growers of Sounding the Alarm Over U.S. Tariffs Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Not surprisingly, the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is raising concerns over the United States' decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian grain and grain products, a move that could jeopardize the livelihoods of family-run grain farms and lead to higher food prices for American... Read this article online
Taking Issue with Charlebois’ Criticism of Canada’s Dairy Supply Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Farms.com recently received correspondence from Phil Mount, National Farmers Union 1st vice president (Policy) with his response to recent criticism of Canada’s dairy supply management system. Recent criticism of Canada’s dairy supply management has come from well-known Sylvain... Read this article online