CFIA restricts New Mexico horse imports to prevent spread of disease Saturday, May 12, 2012 by DAVE PINKHorses from the American state of New Mexico are, effectively immediately, no longer welcome in Canada.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) made the ruling this week after of an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis among horses in New Mexico. Because the disease can spread to other animals such as cattle, sheep and swine the agency decided it couldn’t take the risk of allowing any suspected carriers of the disease into Canada. Vesicular stomatitis is a viral disease that can affect horses, livestock and other animals such as deer and llamas, according to a CFIA news release. It can also cause influenza-like symptoms in people who come into contact with infected animals. Protective clothing should be worn when handling suspect animals to help prevent exposure to the virus.Canada is currently free of vesicular stomatitis. It was last diagnosed in Canada in 1949.The CFIA fears that an outbreak of vesicular stomatitis in Canada could result in a loss of markets for live animals, meat and animal genetics.While horses originating from the state of New Mexico will not be permitted to enter Canada, Canadian horses returning from New Mexico will be allowed entry into Canada if some additional import requirements are met. In addition, all horses entering Canada from the United States must be accompanied by official U.S. documents certifying that they have not been in New Mexico within the previous 21 days. BF Aggregate Act hearings to go on the road Feds eye tender fruit damage
How One Ontario Pumpkin Farm Turned 10% of Production Into Half Its Revenue Tuesday, October 6, 2026 For one Ontario farm that was looking beyond traditional commodity production to strengthen their businesses,the answer has come from an unlikely source: ornamental pumpkins and gourds. Located east of St. Thomas, Ontario, Butters Farms has built a successful niche around seasonal... Read this article online
Canadian Food System Trust Holds Steady, but Uncertainty and Misinformation Are Rising Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Canadians largely maintain a positive view of the nation's food system, but rising concerns about affordability, misinformation, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence are creating a more complex environment for maintaining public trust. That was among the key findings... Read this article online
Canadian Agri-Businesses Face Insurance Crunch as Premiums Rise and Coverage Options Shrink Tuesday, October 6, 2026 Small agricultural businesses across Canada are facing a mounting insurance challenge as premiums climb and coverage options become harder to find, according to research from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). The report highlights a growing concern among farmers,... Read this article online
Ontario company finds opportunity in buying Canadian Tuesday, October 6, 2026 For many Canadian businesses, navigating today's geopolitical environment means adapting to new challenges, from tariffs and currency fluctuations to ongoing supply chain uncertainty. For Matt Cottrill, owner and operator of Cottrill Heavy Equipment, those challenges have also created... Read this article online
Ontario Invests $2 Million to Boost Agri-Food Businesses Tuesday, October 6, 2026 The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing $2 million to help small businesses in the province’s agri-food sector expand, modernize operations and strengthen food safety. The funding is being delivered through Ontario’s Food Safety and Growth Initiative, which is designed to... Read this article online