Reading Time: 2 minutes Berlin | Reuters — Activists delivered what they said was Germany’s biggest-ever public complaint to the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, hoping it will scupper a trade agreement between the European Union and Canada. The deal, which some see as a template for an EU-U.S. agreement still being negotiated, is the EU’s most ambitious trade pact […] Read more
German activists take EU-Canada trade deal to Constitutional Court
Pettigrew tapped to help push through EU trade deal
Reading Time: < 1 minute Ottawa | Reuters — Canada has named a former politician with experience in trade and foreign affairs as the government’s new envoy to help complete its long-negotiated free trade agreement with the European Union, a spokeswoman said Wednesday. Pierre Pettigrew, who served as both minister of foreign affairs and minister for international trade under previous […] Read more
Long-term U.K. study links neonics to wild bee declines
Reading Time: 2 minutes London | Reuters — Wild bees that forage from oilseed rape crops treated with insecticides known as neonicotinoids are more likely to undergo long-term population declines than bees that forage from other sources, according to the findings of an 18-year study. The new research covered 62 species of bee found in the wild in Britain […] Read more
Britain to plug EU funding gap for farms, colleges
Reading Time: 2 minutes London | Reuters — Britain will fill a gap of as much as 4.5 billion pounds (C$7.5 billion) in funding for agriculture, universities and its regions that will open up when Britain leaves the European Union, finance minister Philip Hammond said. Scientists, farmers and others who got EU funding were facing uncertainty after Britain voted […] Read more
EU regulators to investigate Dow, DuPont merger
Reading Time: < 1 minute Brussels | Reuters –– EU antitrust regulators have opened a full investigation into Dow Chemical and DuPont’s proposed US$130 billion merger, saying the deal may reduce competition in crop protection, seeds and some petrochemicals. The European Commission said the deal, which would create the world’s largest integrated crop protection and seeds company, may also hurt […] Read more
Ontario farmers ready for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soy
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Soybean producers in Ontario are eager to start planting next season with new ammunition against Canada fleabane. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, genetically modified with a tolerance to dicamba and glyphosate herbicides, were recently approved for import by the European Union. Monsanto planned to introduce Xtend soybeans in Canada for the […] Read more
Weak U.S. wheat futures watching European crops
Reading Time: < 1 minute Commodity News Service Canada – U.S. wheat futures are trading just above their weakest levels in 10 years, but the lows may be in for the time being as funds are already holding large short positions and attention turns to problems with the European crop. “We’re really just following the EU,” said wheat-broker Austin Damiani, of […] Read more
Canada/EU trade pact seen possible despite headwinds
Reading Time: 3 minutes Canada still has a good shot at ratifying its trade deal with the European Union, despite turmoil within the EU, according to Canadian government officials. The United Kingdom’s recent referendum vote to leave the EU doesn’t legally change the ratification of the Canada/EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) in any way, a federal official said […] Read more
EU bows to pressure, gives member parliaments say in Canada trade deal
Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters –– The European Commission bowed to pressure to give Europe’s parliaments the right to ratify a landmark free-trade deal with Canada, a decision meant to address public concerns but which could wreck Europe’s broader trade strategy. In the face of popular suspicion about secretive trade deals benefiting big companies, Commission President Jean-Claude […] Read more
Canadian beef follows tricky paths to international markets
Reading Time: 2 minutes CNS Canada — Canadian beef continues to find its way to markets around the world, but while a new deal with Mexico has brought smiles to the cattle industry, questions remain surrounding Canada’s proposed trade deal with the European Union. Britain’s recent referendum to exit the European Union has thrown into question whether the Comprehensive […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
