Organic growers want government to fund standard amendments Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by SUSAN MANNThe organic sector wants an annual review of national organic standards but it’s concerned federal government money may not be available to fund the process in the future.Laura Telford, executive director of the Canadian Organic Growers, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency controls the organic products regulation, which came into effect June 30, 2009. The Canadian Organic Growers, which represents farmers nationally, says the Agency is responsible for paying for the process involved in the standards review.“It’s a fairly expensive process,” Telford says, estimating it would cost $200,000 to prepare amendments, hold an annual meeting to debate them and pay the Canadian General Standards Board, which manages the standards, to edit them.When the Board’s organic sector committee met in February it proposed 100 revisions to the standards within the organic products regulation. Voting by mail-in ballot on those ends May 23. Sixty-five different groups representing all sectors of the organic industry, such as growers, processors and consumers, are eligible to vote.Telford says more revisions follow. “We have a giant work list.” She estimates it will take about five years to work through all the necessary revisions, but she’s concerned that the government may not continue funding the process. “So far they’ve been doing it (providing funding) as a one-off thing. But I don’t think they see it as their long-term role.”Telford says the federal organic products regulation works by reference, “which is a fairly novel idea in Canadian legislation.” What it means is whenever the organic sector and the Board approve changes to the standards they become law without needing the federal government to amend a regulation.“The standards remain a living document inside this bigger fixed document, which is the organic products regulation,” she says.It’s the organic sector that writes and amends the standards. “The organic sector believes these are living standards and they need to be constantly updated as things change,” she explains. BF Building company faces receivership, broadens product safety warning Calf stripped of U.S. Guernsey title
Take a virtual reality tour of Ontario’s egg and sheep farms Saturday, December 21, 2024 Canadians now have the opportunity to explore new virtual farm tours on www.FarmFood360.ca, thanks to Farm & Food Care Ontario (FFCO), is a coalition of farmers, agriculture and food partners proactively working together to grow public trust and confidence in food and farming. The... Read this article online
Snow Begone: The RapidTrak Series Friday, December 20, 2024 BYLINE: Zahra Sadiq Winter is upon us, and with it comes thick layers of snow, making everything just a little more difficult. But it doesn’t have to be that way, thanks to the RapidTrak Snow Blowers by Ariens. This company’s story starts in 1933 when Henry Ariens took his sons... Read this article online
AEM partners with Euro counterpart to enhance global alignment on key ag manufacturer issues Friday, December 20, 2024 The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have signed a () to enhance advocacy efforts for the agricultural equipment industry. The agreement seeks to create a positive legislative and regulatory environment across... Read this article online
The 2024 Topigs Norsvin Canada Awards Banquet Thursday, December 19, 2024 Topigs Norsvin Canada Inc.—headquartered in Oak Bluff, Manitoba—is a global leader in swine genetics, and recently held its in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Stratford, Ontario, via two events for its producers. The banquets blended recognition for outstanding production achievements and... Read this article online
Premier equipment strengthens reach with new acquisition Wednesday, December 18, 2024 Premier Equipment, a John Deere dealership in southwestern Ontario, has reached an agreement to acquire Hutchinson Farm Supply, effective January 31, 2025. Hutchinson, which has been in business for 60 years, has served agriculture and rural property owners in York and Durham... Read this article online