WTO agreement will streamline global trading process predict ag industry, governments Monday, December 9, 2013 by SUSAN MANN Ontario welcomes the agreements including a new trade facilitation package reached at the World Trade Organization’s Ninth Ministerial conference in Asia last week. Mark Cripps, spokesperson for Agriculture Minister and Premier Kathleen Wynne, says by email the trade facilitation agreement will promote a more efficient and predictable trade rules based system of international trade that will help Ontario farmers and exporters maximize opportunities in international markets. “Ontario welcomes this positive outcome in Bali and future negotiations towards meaningful multilateral agriculture reform,” Cripps says. The agreement was reached in Bali, Indonesia Saturday. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says in a Dec. 7 press release the ministers also reaffirmed calls for the elimination of export subsidies and a reduction in the maximum repayment period for exports credits. The trade facilitation agreement represents the World Trade Organization’s first multilateral trade deal to be concluded since the WTO was established in 1995. “The momentum generated from this positive outcome in Bali is expected to re-invigorate negotiations on meaningful agriculture reform,” the release says. The WTO’s Doha Round of negotiations, launched in 2001, hasn’t produced a broad agreement to date and was declared deadlocked by ministers in 2011. But the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association says in a Dec. 7 press release the Bali package gives the Doha Round a much-needed boost. Bob Seguin, executive director of the George Morris Centre, says the trade facilitation deal addresses how the entire process of importation and exports are handled with a move to reduce the amount of idiosyncrasies, ad hoc programs and “maybe even some abuse as some importers or exporters will perceive it. It’s an effort to standardize, put in clear rules for transparency, notification and consistency” so one exporter to a country is treated the same as another exporter. For the Canadian exporters, if they were exporting to a lesser-developed country “over time this will give them the assurance that the process of exporting to that country is handled properly, consistently and the rules are clear; they’re identified and they don’t vary day-by-day,” Seguin says. In addition to the province of Ontario, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association also welcomes the deal saying in its release the trade facilitation agreement places new disciplines on customs procedures that can often restrict international goods movement. The beef trade can be impacted by duplication of import inspections, paperwork along with onerous service and user fees but this deal could ease those bottlenecks and irritants. Cattlemen’s officials weren’t available for comment. As for dairy farmers, Thérése Beaulieu, spokesperson for Dairy Farmers of Canada, says by email “we do not see the strategy recently unveiled as having anything to do with supply management.” BF Plant breeders rights highlighted in new federal legislation Kellogg announces closure of London plant
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
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