New committee created to promote growth in Ontario's farming and agri-food industry Friday, November 28, 2014 by SUSAN MANNOntario’s farming and agri-food industry is getting help in meeting Premier Kathleen Wynne’s goal of creating 120,000 new jobs and doubling the sector’s growth rate by 2020.On Thursday at the Premier’s annual Summit on Agri-Food, Wynne announced the creation of a new Growth Steering Committee to be co-chaired by Deb Stark, deputy agriculture, food and rural affairs minister, and Amy Cronin, Ontario Pork chair.The committee will identify and pursue future opportunities and design a growth measurement system, according to an Ontario agriculture ministry press release issued Nov. 27. It will bring together industry and government leaders and experts to identify opportunities to help the industry meet the growth and job creation challenge Wynne issued at last year’s summit.Supporting growth and innovation in the province’s agri-food industry is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario, the release says.Bryan Bossin, senior press and communications adviser to Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Jeff Leal, says by email one of the first jobs of the committee will be to identify priority growth projects. The committee will report its progress and next steps at the Premier’s summit next year.The agriculture ministry will support the committee by providing technical information and expertise “to guide members as they pursue opportunities for growth in the agri-food sector,” Bossin says.Newly elected Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe says “it’s vitally important that we continue to focus on growth in this province. Growth is absolutely vital in the agricultural industry. When you’re the number one sector (in Ontario) and everybody else globally is continuing to move on, we cannot afford to stop and relax.”McCabe says in his opinion focusing on growth includes:Removing barriers to bring in new processing into Ontario.Bringing new market developments for the farm.Remove undue and unnecessary regulations at both the farm level and through the entire agri-food system.As for how achievable the Premier’s goal is for the sector, McCabe says, “sometimes you have to put a goal out there just to see what you can do with it.”Leal says in an email forwarded by his press and communications adviser “I believe we can achieve these ambitious targets if we work together.” BF Former general manager sues Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency Neonics need more investigation, PMRA update report concludes
RaboResearch says tariffs are disrupting global pork trade Wednesday, May 21, 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
Northern Ontario Farms Get Ag Plastic Recycling Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Northern Ontario agriculture communities have compacted 27 metric tons of agricultural plastics. The Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance (NOFIA), in partnership with the northern caucus of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), is proud to announce major progress in its... Read this article online
Ontario's Foodbelt: A Bold Move to Protect Farmland and Food Security Tuesday, May 13, 2025 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the National Farmers Union, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and Ontario Farmland Trust are collaborating with Ontario Greens Leader Mike Schreiner and Haldimand-Norfolk independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady to introduce legislation aimed at... Read this article online
Protecting Plant Health Supports All Life Monday, May 12, 2025 Healthy plants are vital to the survival and well-being of people, animals, and nature. They clean the air, support biodiversity, and are the foundation of food and economic systems. On May 12, Canadians celebrate International Day of Plant Health. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)... Read this article online
V6 Agronomy Joins Port of Johnstown Deal Monday, May 12, 2025 V6 Agronomy has partnered with the Port of Johnstown (100 kilometres south of Ottawa) to build a national fertilizer hub. This long-term collaboration should support Canada’s food security, reduce input costs for farmers, and modernize the fertilizer supply chain using clean... Read this article online