Reading Time: 2 minutes Antitrust regulators in both Canada and the U.S. have fixed their seals of official inaction on ketchup giant H.J. Heinz’s play for control of Kraft Foods Group. Canada’s Competition Bureau has confirmed that it wrapped its review of the proposed deal and issued its “no action” letter to the companies on Wednesday. A “no action” […] Read more
Canadian, U.S. regulators clear Heinz and Kraft merger
Quebec plans new legal status for animals
Reading Time: 2 minutes Quebec’s agriculture minister has tabled a new provincial government bill to raise the legal status of domestic and farmed animals in the province beyond that of “furniture.” Pierre Paradis on Friday introduced Bill 54 in the provincial assembly, with the stated goal of enshrining animals in Quebec’s Civil Code as sentient beings — that is, feeling and […] Read more
Global dairy demand seen picking up only slightly
Reading Time: 2 minutes Wellington | Reuters –– Global dairy prices are expected to pick up only slightly over the next 12 months, New Zealand dairy co-operative Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter, said Thursday. Fonterra said the subdued outlook amid sluggish demand would likely slow the pace of New Zealand dairy output growth, and kept its forecast payout […] Read more
Supply-managed sectors bolster defenses against TPP
Reading Time: 2 minutes Reuters — Canadian farmers are stepping up their campaign against a nearly complete Pacific trade pact they fear will destroy protections for local dairy, egg and chicken producers and endanger jobs. Farmers in Quebec, which produces 40 per cent of Canada’s dairy products, ran full-page newspaper advertisements on Tuesday warning Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations threaten […] Read more
Dutch goat’s cheese gets protected EU status
Reading Time: < 1 minute Brussels | Reuters –– A type of Dutch goat’s cheese can now only be produced in the Netherlands after the European Union said on Tuesday it had registered it as protected, awarding it the same status as Greece’s feta and Italy’s parmesan. “Hollandse geitenkaas” is a semi-hard cheese prepared in a similar fashion to the […] Read more
Canada says will defend dairy protection at TPP talks
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters — Canada will continue to defend its system of tariffs and quotas that protect dairy farmers, a senior official said on Monday, in comments that could worry nations negotiating a Pacific trade treaty. Canada is under pressure at talks to create a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) because concessions sought by the other 11 […] Read more
Election timing puts Tories in bind on Pacific trade talks
Reading Time: 2 minutes Ottawa | Reuters –– Canada is facing a tough squeeze at talks on a major Pacific trade treaty because the concessions other nations want it to make could cause serious problems for the governing Conservatives in this October’s general election. Canada, one of 12 nations aiming to create the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), is under pressure […] Read more
Greece wants Canada-EU pact changed to protect ‘feta’ name
Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters — Athens will not back a multi-billion dollar trade pact between Canada and the European Union unless the deal is changed to specify that only Greece can use the term “feta” for its salty white cheese, according to a document seen by Reuters. After five years of difficult negotiations, Canada and the […] Read more
Nestle says taking action to keep top slot in food industry
Reading Time: 2 minutes London | Reuters — Nestle told shareholders Thursday it is taking steps to maintain its position at the head of the global food industry, where consolidation will create two big new rivals. Nestle chairman Peter Brabeck-Lemathe told the company’s annual shareholder meeting the creation of Kraft Heinz Co. and Jacobs Douwe Egberts, as well as […] Read more
Ont. organic dairy co-op in creditor protection
Reading Time: 2 minutes The co-operative behind one of Canada’s biggest names in organic dairy goods is in creditor protection and aiming to negotiate new terms on the eight figures owing to its creditors and members. Organic Meadow Co-operative announced Monday it had filed for creditor protection “in order to complete a restructuring of its operations.” The company said […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
