Canada joins international agreements that establish animal disease outbreak protocols Thursday, May 26, 2016 by SUSAN MANNCanada will share staff and vaccines with other countries experiencing animal disease outbreaks as outlined in agreements it signed at an international animal health organization meeting in Paris earlier this week.The three agreements Canada signed will “contribute to maintaining safe and fair trade during animal disease outbreaks, and show Canada’s support for the international animal health standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health,” Canadian Food Inspection Agency spokesperson Tammy Jarbeau says by email.The agreements were signed at the World Organisation for Animal Health’s 84th general session.One of the agreements is called the International Animal Health Emergency Reserve. It was also signed by Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. It enables the participants to “share personnel during critical times” and will help the countries to respond quicker and more effectively in controlling and eradicating an outbreak, she says. “It will also provide valuable experience in outbreak management and response to the personnel of all participating countries.”Another deal calls for participating countries (Canada, Mexico, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia) to share foot-and-mouth vaccines during an outbreak.All five countries have foot-and-mouth vaccine banks, Jarbeau says. The agreement spells out procedures to quickly process requests from participating countries when they need additional supplies of vaccine during an outbreak.A third agreement calls for four countries, including Canada, to recognize each other’s zoning arrangements for foreign animal disease outbreaks. The other three countries are: the U.S., New Zealand and Australia.“By initiating a review process to better understand and accept each other’s processes for managing outbreaks, the participating countries can use this arrangement to facilitate the resumption of trade from zones that remain disease free,” Jarbeau says.The deal will also help the countries continue trade from zones within their borders where an animal disease is occurring, if the risks of introducing the disease can be effectively managed by applying import conditions, such as product treatments, she notes. BF Ministry floats potential Ontario conservation authority reforms for feedback DFO acknowledges new class a key factor in Ontario dairy blend price drop
Ontario farmers get boost for energy upgrades Friday, July 11, 2025 The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $3 million in the third round of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This funding will help farmers improve the energy efficiency of their operations and support the long-term sustainability of the agriculture... Read this article online
Swede midge and cabbageworm found in Ontario canola Thursday, July 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario canola crops are at various growth stages, ranging from seedling to full bloom depending on planting time and region. Winter canola is now fully podded, and harvest is expected to begin soon in Essex and other southern... Read this article online
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online