A macrophage (immune response) cell in early stages of infection with African swine fever virus, magnified about 1,000x. (Keith Weller photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Canada, EU agree to swine fever zoning rules

Reading Time: 2 minutes Canada and Europe have agreed to new zoning arrangements in a case of African swine fever outbreak, but it’s not clear what will actually change. The agreement, which Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced Wednesday. would allow for safe trade of swine products from disease-free zones if a case of ASF is found. Zoning principles applying […] Read more



Tuberculosis bacteria under an electron microscope. (Janice Haney Carr photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.))

B.C. bovine TB outbreak’s trace-out completed

Reading Time: 2 minutes All cattle that moved away from a British Columbia farm where four animals were found to be infected with bovine tuberculosis (TB) have been tracked down and tested. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday it has completed its “trace-out” investigation stemming from last fall’s discovery of a TB-positive beef cow from a farm in […] Read more

(GFM photo)

Federal ‘Product of Canada’ food guidelines under review

Reading Time: 2 minutes Food processors wanting to make “Product of Canada” or “Made in Canada” label claims for their wares might not have to be as strict on their use of Canadian ingredients, under proposed changes to labelling guidelines. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Monday announced public consultations and a public comment period, to run until June […] Read more



Tim Hortons is testing three plant-based breakfast sandwich options in the Canadian market. (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)

Tim Hortons to offer Beyond Meat for breakfast

Reading Time: 2 minutes The plant-based meat substitute that’s made its way to the menus of burger chains such as A+W in Canada and Carl’s Jr. in the U.S. is about to test itself against the Tim Hortons breakfast crowd. The coffee-and-doughnut chain announced Wednesday it’s now testing three types of breakfast sandwiches at “select” stores in Canada using […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Joint conference brings canola producers up to speed

Reading Time: 2 minutes MarketsFarm — The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) and the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) have given farmers an update on the current situation between Canada and China. The 38-minute joint webinar/teleconference last Thursday (April 18) featured CCC president Jim Everson and CCGA executive director Rick White. Everson made it clear China is still honouring […] Read more

(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Few herds remain in B.C. bovine TB probe

Reading Time: 2 minutes The federal investigation into an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis affecting four animals in a domestic British Columbia cattle herd has pulled back to include just seven properties. As of Monday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s probe included one herd each in B.C. and Saskatchewan and four herds in Alberta under movement controls, along with the […] Read more


International Trade Minister Jim Carr (at podium) and Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announce plans for a technical delegation and stakeholder working group to address China’s import bans on Canadian canola. (AAFC video screengrab via Facebook Live)

Canada to set up working group for China canola push

Reading Time: 2 minutes Canola industry stakeholders and provincial officials are to join federal officials in a co-ordinated push to resolve China’s issues with Canadian canola, cabinet ministers said Monday. Speaking Monday in Ottawa, Canada’s Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr said they’ve set up a new working group including representatives from the Canola […] Read more

Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson says China’s block on Canadian canola has now expanded beyond just shipments from Richardson International. (Co-operator file photo by Allan Dawson)

China stops buying Canadian canola

Reading Time: 2 minutes China has stopped buying any Canadian canola, says Canola Council of Canada president Jim Everson. “The Chinese are unwilling to purchase Canadian canola (from any company) at this time,” he said Thursday. “Trade that was executed earlier is continuing. New sales are what appears to be affected.” Earlier this month China blocked canola imports from […] Read more