Proposed Growers Requested Own Use regulations clamp down on uncooperative companies Wednesday, July 18, 2012 by SUSAN MANNHealth Canada’s proposal to include the Grower Requested Own Use program in its Pest Control Products Regulations will add teeth to the program by ensuring the product manufacturers play by the rules, says a crop protection specialist.Craig Hunter, crop protection and research specialist with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, says up until now the program has been operating on a gentlemen’s agreement. The program allows Canadian growers to import the American version of a Canadian registered product if it’s available to their competitors south of the border at a lower price. Including the program in the regulations will enable the government to impose sanctions on companies refusing to cooperate.“We’ve had a few companies that just stonewalled the process and wouldn’t provide their data and wouldn’t agree to share,” he explains. The proposal is giving “us exactly what we’ve been asking for all along. It’s actually pretty good from our perspective,” he says.Administered by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the Grower Requested Own Use program has been in place for the past three years. The products in the program must be purchased and imported by the grower for use on their land and for that growing season. Canadian scientists evaluate products before they’re accepted in the program to identify any chemical differences that may lead to increased health or environmental risks.Hunter says the association is working with the Canadian Horticultural Council and will submit farm group comments from a national perspective. But he says he’s gone through the proposal and personally thinks there is very little change that’s necessary.Comments on the proposed amendments are due by Sept. 21 and can be submitted to PMRA regulatory affairs. BF Group agrees to dismantle fertilizer plant blockade Ontario farmers plant soybeans after wheat harvest
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online