OFA president appointed to Ontario's Climate Action Group Tuesday, March 10, 2015 by SUSAN MANNOntario Federation of Agriculture president Don McCabe says he’s very honoured to be picked to sit on Ontario’s new Climate Action Group that’s advising the environment minister on climate change policy.McCabe is one of 16 people included in the group headed up by John Godfrey, who was also appointed as a special adviser for climate change by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The group also has top academics, climate scientists, business and civic leaders. The ministry announced the committee’s composition on Monday.McCabe says in addition to providing climate change policy advice to the minister, the group will outline “how Ontario will be able to meet its obligations and commitments and establish a better economy for all. The bottom line is that can’t be done without including agriculture.”Kate Jordan, Ontario environment and climate change ministry spokesperson, says by email the group was appointed for a one year term and it will meet quarterly.“We are consulting with Ontarians now and asking them about the most effective ways to take action on climate change,” she says. “This feedback will help inform a strategy to be announced later this year.”The Climate Action Group’s job is to advise Environment and Climate Change Minister Glen Murray on the most effective actions to help Ontario meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Jordan says in 2007, the ministry released a Climate Change Action Plan with these targets:By 2014 greenhouse gas emissions were to be six per cent below the 1990 level of 177 megatonnes.Emissions by 2020 are to be 15 per cent below the 1990 level.By 2050 emissions are targeted to be 80 per cent below the 1990 level.Jordan says Ontario has already exceeded its 2014 target. In 2014, total emissions were 165 megatonnes, a reduction of 6.8 per cent. The reduction was achieved through various means including phasing out coal-fired power generation, using cleaner energy and making investments in public transit.McCabe says agriculture has a massive role to play in providing climate change advice to Ontario’s government. The industry must ensure officials understand “food security comes first.”Agriculture also has a large role to play in participating in carbon sequestration “but it will require proper policy to make that happen,” he says. BF NFU report calls for restrictions on foreign and corporate ownership of Canadian farmland Farmland preservation critical in Ontario says OFA
RaboResearch says tariffs are disrupting global pork trade Saturday, May 24, 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
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Friday, May 23, 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
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