Livestock

Letter – Crown land leaseholders deserve vote

I am calling — and lease holders need to call for – the provincial government to hold a referendum amongst agricultural Crown land leaseholders from 2015 to now and ask the critical question: Do leaseholders wish to see the province stop its highest bidder system and restore the points-based system and more reasonable leasing fees? Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: February 2023

In this issue: Advocating for farmland protection in Ontario Towards a National Agricultural Labour Strategy that works for Farmers and Farm Workers Public transit should not stop at the city Read more

Why farmers are not celebrating CETA’s five-year anniversary

September 21 marked the five-year anniversary of the provisional application of the Canada–EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It is no surprise to the National Farmers Union (NFU) that farmers are not happy with the results. Negotiations on the agricultural chapter were strained to the point that it was one of the last areas to be agreed upon. In the media, the issues were presented as a trade-off between allowing the EU more access to our supply-managed dairy market in return for gaining more access to the EU’s market for Canadian beef. Some political commentators looked for cheap points by framing this purported stalemate as a conflict between western ranchers and dairy producers in Ontario and Quebec. The NFU had a more sophisticated analysis, which time has proven to be accurate. Read more

Letter: Budget 2022 – Economic Dignity for Farmers

While global crises multiply and intensify it is clear that we can no longer afford a food and agriculture system designed to maximize the ability of the most powerful to extract value with “just in time” and “lean” approaches while leaving farmers, workers and consumers and our communities to absorb mounting costs and burdens. Budget 2022 is the perfect time to begin building a policy framework that provides the economic dignity and resilience Canadians need to navigate our interdependent future with confidence. Read more

Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations

How provincial rules help or hinder regional meat production

The NFU's Taking Stock of Abattoir Regulations report reviews provincial regulations on slaughter, meat processing (cut/wrap), and marketing across Canada. It highlights common points and differences among the regulations, and identifies where specific aspects of these regulations (or how they are applied) create barriers to local and regional meat production, as well as those pieces that support thriving local and regional food systems and local producers. Read more

Time for Western Premiers to “Do The Right Thing” Regarding Agristability

Swift Current, SK—The National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the western conservative premiers in Saskatchewan and Alberta to put aside the political posturing and “do the right thing” in order Read more

Manitoba Cattle Farmers Face Rising Costs from Drought & Government

Brandon, MB—Manitoba cattle farmers are facing higher costs and may soon see falling prices.  Farmers may be on the eve of a severe cost-price squeeze. The NFU today sent a Read more

Canadian Farms Hammered by Heat and Drought; Climate Change Will Make Such Events More Frequent and Damaging

Saskatoon, SK—Across BC, the Prairies, and western Ontario, intense heat and lack of rain are withering crops, pastures, livestock feed, orchards, and vegetable fields and drying up water supplies.  The Read more

Job Posting: Livestock Policy Researcher

The National Farmers Union is a direct-membership organization made up of Canadian farm families who share common goals. NFU members work together to achieve agricultural policies that ensure dignity and Read more

Op Ed: US farm groups and unions ask Biden to end CUSMA attack on Canada’s supply management system

This Op Ed was originally published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on The Monitor Online. On February 1, American farm, labour and civil society organizations formally asked the Biden-Harris Read more