New CFIA centres concentrate expertise Monday, January 7, 2013 by SUSAN MANN The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is creating 16 centres of expertise across Canada, three of which will be located in Guelph, the federal government announced Monday. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says in the Monday press release that the centres “will pool expertise and make it available through a single window making the CFIA more efficient and giving industry, CFIA inspectors and Canadians better, more consistent service.” The centres slated for Guelph are: agri foods and non-federally registered products, import/export of animals and horticulture. Meagan Murdoch, Ritz’s communications director, says the idea is to locate the majority of the CFIA’s field experts in the various centres but some will stay at the national headquarters in Ottawa and other parts of Canada. “They were trying to concentrate them (the experts) where the biggest concentration of the industry is,” she explains. The centres will be located near both academic and provincial experts to tap into that expertise and to foster collaboration among organizations. Murdoch says the exact locations of the centres in the selected cities haven’t been determined yet. Other centres are: Forestry – Burnaby, B.C. Finfish – Burnaby, B.C. Red meat slaughter – Calgary, Alberta Foreign animal disease and emergency management – Calgary, Alberta Grains and oilseeds, seed, plants with novel traits and fertilizer – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Labelling and claims – national capital region Animal feed – national capital region Poultry slaughter – St-Hyacinthe, Quebec Processed meat and poultry – St-Hyacinthe, Quebec Domestic animal disease and welfare – St-Hyacinthe, Quebec Shellfish – Moncton, New Brunswick Aquatic animal health – Moncton, New Brunswick Potatoes and soil – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Murdoch says CFIA meat and other inspectors remain in their current locations. But inspectors often call CFIA offices looking for information and help. Now they’ll have “more targeted spots to call, which will help them in getting the information they need quickly. That in turn will help the industry because inspectors will be able to do their job more quickly and efficiently.” The centres will be implemented over the next few years. But Murdoch says a digital and web based version will start up this year. BF New protocol for municipal drain maintenance Ontario's agriculture industry weighs sweet study
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline Thursday, May 29, 2025 In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online
RaboResearch says tariffs are disrupting global pork trade Wednesday, May 28, 2025 According to a recent report from Rabobank, pork prices have rebounded and remain strong despite shifting trade flows and growing economic and consumer uncertainties. Rabobank is a Dutch multinational banking and financial services company specializing in the global food and agricultural... Read this article online
Canadian Meat Sector Seeks Fast Reforms from Newly Elected Government Tuesday, May 27, 2025 With Parliament resuming under Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) is calling for quick government action to support Canada’s pork and beef sector. This industry contributed over $9.4 billion in exports and supported nearly 200,000 jobs in 2024. “Canada’s red... Read this article online