Supreme Court turfs processors' appeal of cheese regulations Thursday, November 24, 2011 by SUSAN MANNCanada’s agriculture minister says he’s pleased with the Supreme Court of Canada’s Thursday decision to reject an appeal by two cheese manufacturers challenging rules for cheese compositional standards. “Canadian consumers will continue to have access to world-class cheese products made from ingredients of the highest quality,” says Gerry Ritz in a press release. The decision to turf the appeal upholds the federal government’s authority to set compositional standards, he states.The Supreme Court’s website didn’t give a reason for its decision. The appeal was dismissed with costs. The two processors, Saputo Inc. and Kraft, launched the appeal after the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed their challenge earlier this year of government amendments to the national cheese standards in the Food and Drug Regulations. Dairy Farmers of Canada spokesperson Therese Beaulieu says by email dairy farmers have always supported the goal of protecting the integrity of Canadian cheeses so they live up to consumer expectations.“DFC has welcomed standards that ensure consistency and integrity of all cheeses, which will serve to reinforce consumer confidence in Canadian cheeses and lead to growth in the dairy industry,” she says.Despite processors saying cheese making in Canada would be threatened by the standards, Beaulieu says there have been several new cheeses created since the cheese standards have come into force.Compositional standards for cheese outline basic requirements so these food products have a uniform composition and meet consumers’ expectations. The regulations list the minimum level of milk that must be used to produce various cheeses but also allow for other milk products, such as skim milk powder, whey, and milk protein concentrates. Processors have said the regulations force them to buy more raw full fat milk to produce cheese by limiting the use of ingredients made from milk and that pushes up their production costs. As part of the standards that came into effect Dec. 14, 2008, the government maintains a licensing system for cheese importers to facilitate the enforcement of regulations in a consistent and equitable way. The standards apply to cheese marketed in import, export or interprovincial trade. BF Lower costs raised farm incomes in 2010 Raw milk crusader slapped with fine, probation
The Ontario region names its provincial Outstanding Young Farmers of 2024 Friday, August 30, 2024 Image supplied by Outstanding Young Farmers Partners DJ Wassenaar and Matt Bergman of Haybury Farms Inc., located at Jarvis, were named for 2024 at their regional event held near Guelph on August 22, 2024. Matt Bergman grew up on a dairy farm and started farming for himself at the... Read this article online
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Ecorobotix appoints CEO for Swiss company’s NA division Thursday, August 29, 2024 Image supplied by Ecorobotix Inc. Ecorobotix Inc., the North American division of the Swiss ag tech and AI company, Ecorobotix SA, has appointed Cameron Holbrook as its new Chief Executive Officer. Ecorobotix Inc., established in 2023 and based in Salinas, California, brings the... Read this article online
OFA asking farmers to take Cultivating Local survey Thursday, August 29, 2024 The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is asking farmers to complete a survey about local selling opportunities. The organization is giving producers until Sept. 16 to fill out the Cultivating Local survey. “We’re looking to better understand farmers that are already or who want... Read this article online