Latest news with #HeathMacDonald
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Statement - Supporting Canada's cattle industry by increasing maximum compensation amounts Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada is announcing an increase to the maximum value for cattle under its animal compensation regulations to reflect current market value. Amendment to the Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR) means cattle producers who have been impacted by a reportable disease may be eligible to receive compensation up to the following new maximum amounts: registered (purebred) cattle: $16,500 (up from $10,000, set in 2015) non-registered cattle: $10,000 (up from $4,500, set in 2015) As part of its mandate to safeguard food, animals and plants, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) may order the depopulation of animals or destruction of things affected by a disease to keep humans and other animals safe, and to keep export markets open. When this happens, producers are eligible to receive compensation. The CFIA conducted a market analysis which demonstrated that the market value of cattle has increased since 2015 – the last time the maximum amounts were updated. This aims to encourage the early reporting of disease and cooperation in eradication efforts. The actual amount of compensation to be paid to an owner or producer is calculated based on the current market value of the animal. The maximum monetary compensation amounts represent the highest payment that the Minister can authorize. Quote "We're increasing the maximum amount of compensation for cattle to better reflect latest market value and help ensure that our producers have access to appropriate compensation when disease response efforts impact their businesses." -The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Associated Links Follow us on social media Facebook: CFIACanada X: @InspectionCan YouTube: @CFIA Instagram: @CFIA_Canada LinkedIn: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Each day, hard-working CFIA employees—including inspectors, veterinarians and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's national herd and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency works tirelessly to ensure access to safe and healthy food in Canada, and support access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Statement - Supporting Canada's cattle industry by increasing maximum compensation amounts
OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada is announcing an increase to the maximum value for cattle under its animal compensation regulations to reflect current market value. Amendment to the Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR) means cattle producers who have been impacted by a reportable disease may be eligible to receive compensation up to the following new maximum amounts: registered (purebred) cattle: $16,500 (up from $10,000, set in 2015) non-registered cattle: $10,000 (up from $4,500, set in 2015) As part of its mandate to safeguard food, animals and plants, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) may order the depopulation of animals or destruction of things affected by a disease to keep humans and other animals safe, and to keep export markets open. When this happens, producers are eligible to receive compensation. The CFIA conducted a market analysis which demonstrated that the market value of cattle has increased since 2015 – the last time the maximum amounts were updated. This aims to encourage the early reporting of disease and cooperation in eradication efforts. The actual amount of compensation to be paid to an owner or producer is calculated based on the current market value of the animal. The maximum monetary compensation amounts represent the highest payment that the Minister can authorize. Quote "We're increasing the maximum amount of compensation for cattle to better reflect latest market value and help ensure that our producers have access to appropriate compensation when disease response efforts impact their businesses." -The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Associated Links Regulations Amending the Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations Animal health compensation – what to expect when an animal is ordered destroyed Follow us on social mediaFacebook: CFIACanadaX: @InspectionCanYouTube: @CFIAInstagram: @CFIA_CanadaLinkedIn: Canadian Food Inspection Agency Each day, hard-working CFIA employees—including inspectors, veterinarians and scientists—inspect food for safety risks, protect plants from pests and invasive species, and respond to animal diseases that could threaten Canada's national herd and human health. Guided by science-based decision-making and modern regulations, the Agency works tirelessly to ensure access to safe and healthy food in Canada, and support access to international markets for our high-quality agricultural products. To learn more, visit SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Federal and provincial agriculture ministers visit producers in Saskatchewan
Left to right: APAS president Bill Prybylski, Sask. Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, Heath MacDonald Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Senator Todd Lewis. Canada's new agriculture minister visited key stakeholders in Saskatchewan to discuss international trading concerns. 'This could be a bit of history in the making, having a liberal minister here, a minister from Saskatchewan, a conservative, and having a senator,' Agriculture and Agri-foods Minister Heath MacDonald told CTV News. 'All three of us at one farm on the same day, talking about the benefits and the economic benefits of agriculture across this country and how important it is to our economy.' For the multi-day trip, MacDonald accompanied Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison, Senator Todd Lewis, and other producers during a visit to a farm south of Regina. Aside from strengthening the federal and provincial working relationship, officials discussed key issues like trade and transportation, port infrastructure, regulatory issues and trade disputes with the U.S. and China. 'Those are things that we need to continue to work on, keep the lines of communication open, and see where the G7 takes us,' MacDonald explained, referring to the upcoming meeting of global leaders in Kananaskis, Alta. Harrison said having the minister travel to the province to hear directly from farmers about ongoing concerns, speaks volume to, 'his commitment to agriculture.' He shared some of the main priorities that were discussed with the group. 'We're talking about our business risk management programs for one. They are cost-shared with the federal government as well, that's important. Then when it comes to trade, certainly China is a big topic as well as the U.S. Those are two of our largest trading partners and we want to make sure those relationships are ongoing,' Harrison said. 'Then the reliability of getting our products to tidewater is very key. You can't mention agriculture without having the transportation and the ports because it all connects. Saskatchewan is a trading province and Canada is a trading nation. That's just the key for the success of agriculture here in the province.' Senator Lewis also pointed out the essential role Saskatchewan plays in Canada's agriculture industry. 'It's all about trade right now and where we're going to be with the negotiations internationally, be it with the United States or Europe, [or] Saskatchewan agriculture, Canadian agriculture, experts around the world,' said Lewis. 'We need to be at the front end of any trade discussion. That's where agriculture is and that's where agriculture needs to be.' With agriculture being the main economic driver in the province, Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) President Bill Prybylski said it's critical to keep an open dialogue with federal officials. 'We know that agriculture in general across the country is somewhere around seven per cent of the GDP, which is a fairly significant contributor to the economy of the country,' he said. 'Here in Saskatchewan it's even more so … the industry itself, we rely on trades, which is big for the country. Between agriculture and trade, there's a lot of issues that need to be resolved," he added. 'We certainly look forward to working with the ministers to resolve some of those issues.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Cleanfarms Launches New Pilot Program to Help Fraser Valley Farmers Recycle Ag Plastics
Farmers Learning About Ag Plastic Compactors for Efficient Handling LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cleanfarms, in collaboration with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), is launching a five-year pilot program (2025-2029) to support farmers in the Fraser Valley in recycling bale wrap and silage plastics. Financial support for this program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, under the Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change program. This pilot builds on experience from similar pilots in Northern BC and expands on the work of farmers in Agassiz who have been recycling plastics for several years, recently with expertise and logistical support from Cleanfarms and financial support from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. It aims to reduce ag plastic waste while improving on-farm recycling efficiency. Leveraging experience in preparation and collection of agricultural plastics for recycling, Cleanfarms is launching this pilot to develop sustainable long-term solutions relevant to BC agriculture. As BC's largest dairy region, the Fraser Valley pilot will provide valuable learnings to inform programming for farmers across the province. 'Our producers are always looking for ways to take better care of the land,' said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. 'Programs like this will help farmers in the Fraser Valley make their operations more sustainable and protect their livelihoods and landscapes for generations to come. 'B.C. farmers know taking care of the land and environment is a key part of preserving our food security, and minimizing production waste and maximizing recycling helps everyone,' said Lana Popham, B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture and Food. 'This pilot program will help plastics used on-farm end up where they should, the recycling depot, and also help our farmers continue to put food on our tables through sustainable practices and food production.' 'The FVRD is proud to be involved in the new five-year pilot program of collecting and recycling used agricultural plastic,' said Patricia Ross, FVRD Board Chair. 'The collaboration with Cleanfarms is creating an opportunity with practical solutions to help farmers reduce their environmental footprint in the region,' she said. Cleanfarms will host a demonstration day in Agassiz on June 17th, 2025, where farmers can test different compactors and learn about how to participate in this pilot project. Farmers will store baled plastics on their farms, and drop-off events will be held twice per year. Additional details are available on our BC pilot webpage. 'Pilot projects like this allow us to test and refine programs, making it easier to establish permanent recycling solutions,' said Barry Friesen, Executive Director. Furthermore, farmers can recycle other ag plastics through Cleanfarms' existing collection programs for used ag plastic containers, totes, drums, and Unwanted Pesticides & Livestock Medications (UPLM) which has its next collection in BC's Peace Region in 2025. For more information on how to participate in this pilot, visit our BC Pilot webpage, or contact Carly Fraser at fraserc@ About Cleanfarms Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. About the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. Media ContactCatherine Lecomte, Media Relations and Digital Communications Coordinator | lecomtec@ | (236) 202-3580 Ext. 2249 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Toronto Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
CHARLEBOIS: Feds still think food industry ends at the farmgate
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald, left, and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Photo by Postmedia file With the pomp of the opening ceremonies behind us, Canada's 45th Parliament is finally getting to work. A new government is in place, complete with a new minister of Agriculture, a throne speech, and a single, somewhat generic mandate letter. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Yet, for the agri-food sector, it all feels underwhelming. Heath MacDonald, Canada's new Agriculture minister, began his tenure by reaffirming support for farmers. That's a political necessity. But if this government is serious about food affordability, economic growth, and trade resilience, the minister must broaden his focus beyond primary producers. The Liberal platform emphasized support for the food processing sector during the campaign, but so far, little has materialized. Under the previous government, major files like food inflation and the grocery code of conduct were handled outside of the agriculture portfolio. Minister François-Philippe Champagne, then responsible for innovation and competition, was tasked with managing those files. While it made structural sense given the Competition Bureau's place in his department, it also signaled a chronic sidelining of agriculture in national economic strategy. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If agri-food is to become a top-tier policy priority, the Agriculture minister must assert a leadership role — not just for farmers but for the entire food value chain. That means linking supply and demand economics, from farmgate to grocery shelf. The new mandate letter fails to address food security, food affordability, or food innovation in any specific way. And while the throne speech repeated the government's usual vows to protect supply management — a policy that governs dairy, eggs and poultry and is still widely misunderstood by Canadians — it offered no new thinking on how to evolve a system in a changing global food landscape. The overarching tone from the new government is one of economic renewal. That's welcome. But how will the agri-food sector fit into Canada's broader economic, climate and geopolitical agenda? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Farmers face steep tariffs in key global markets like India and China — issues that have dragged on for months without meaningful federal response. These are not minor trading partners — they are the two most populous nations on the planet. Yet, the prime minister has remained largely silent. Then there's the carbon tax. The industrial carbon tax — arguably the most economically damaging aspect of Canada's climate pricing framework — continues to erode competitiveness in the agri-food sector. Many Canadians are unaware that processors and growers shoulder heavy costs, particularly in comparison to their U.S. counterparts. Tariffs on American imports might make for good politics, but they don't change the economic reality: The U.S. produces food more efficiently and more cheaply than we do. The cost gap is growing, not shrinking. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Competition policy remains another unresolved file. The grocery code of conduct and the dismantling of interprovincial trade barriers represent two of the most impactful, yet long-delayed, reforms. Properly implemented, these initiatives could inject more fairness into food supply chains, level the playing field for suppliers, and ultimately benefit consumers through greater variety and price stability. But chatter is not enough. Successive governments have promised action — none have delivered. With a volatile and unpredictable regime in Washington, Canada can no longer afford to delay. The opportunity for bold, strategic action is now. This Parliament can do better. But it must move from symbolism to substance — and from promises to policy execution. The agri-food economy depends on it. — Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is the Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University and co-host of The Food Professor Podcast Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Tennis NFL
