Policy processes

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

Union Farmer Newsletter: September – October 2021

In this issue: Precision, power and precaution: gene editing How – or whether – Canada regulates gene editing has far-reaching implications Proposed MRL increase for glyphosate leads to pause, planned consultations   Precision, power and precaution: gene editing By Cathy Holtslander, NFU Director of Research and Policy Technologies are not simply tool sets, but are Read more

NFU Submission to CFIA on Gene Editing Regulatory Guidance

Submission to CFIA on guidance for determining whether a plant is subject to Part V of the Seeds Regulations The NFU is a voluntary direct-membership, non-partisan, national farm organization made up of thousands of farm families from across Canada who produce a wide variety of food products, including grains, livestock, fruits and vegetables. Founded in Read more

CFIA gene editing regulatory proposal not science-based or transparent

Canada is deciding how to regulate gene-edited plants – and is largely proposing not to. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for regulating genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) plants for environmental safety under the Seeds Act Regulations - Part V. These regulations define what is considered a “Plant with Novel Traits” (PNTs) and how PNTs are regulated. The CFIA is proposing a new interpretation that would exempt many gene edited plants right away, and more in the future. The proposed regulatory guidance turns its back on science, allows biotech companies to determine safety, and leaves farmers, future regulators and the public in the dark. Read more

Commentary on CFIA proposal for regulating gene-edited plants

The CFIA’s proposed guidance would allow plant developers (biotechnology companies) to decide for themselves whether their product meets the CFIA’s criteria for regulation as a PNT. It proposes to exempt from regulation genetically engineered plants that do not contain foreign DNA if they are not expected to result in any of four environmental impacts the CFIA lists. In addition, the proposed criteria would exempt some genetically engineered plants that have a trait previously approved by the CFIA, even if the approved trait was in another plant species or developed using different technology. Read more

Federal Election 2021: Ag Platforms of the Major Parties

The following is an overview of party platforms pertaining to agriculture, as of August 31, 2021, for the four largest national parties (in alphabetical order). Conservative Party The Conservatives have a detailed agricultural platform. The Party’s 83-page Canada’s Recovery Plan promises, in part, to: Respect and defend supply management … and ensure that farming families Read more

Response to PMRA Potential Environmental Risk to Squash Bee

Pest Management Regulatory Agency Publications Section Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) Health Canada 2720 Riverside Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9 By e-mail: hc.pmra.publications-arla.sc@canada.ca August 13, 2021 Re: Proposed Special Review Decision PSRD2021-02, Special Reviews: Potential environmental risk related to squash bee (Peponapis pruinosa) exposure to Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid used on cucurbits The National Farmers Union Read more

Win for Farmers and NFU: Federal Gov’t Announces Details of Three Major Ag Emission-Reduction and Climate-Resilience Programs

In its April Budget, the Federal Government announced several programs to help farmers transition to lower-emission, climate-adaptive production systems.  Recently, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provided details on three such programs. On August 12, AAFC announced a “call for proposals” for a $200-million On-Farm Climate Action Fund.  The Fund will underpin programs to support farmers Read more

Submission to PMRA on Glyphosate Proposed Maximum Residue Limit

NFU members are increasingly concerned about the health and environmental impacts of glyphosate. Via our democratic policy development process, we adopted our position opposed to the pre-harvest spraying of glyphosate in 2014. This stance informs our position against the proposed MRL increases. Read more

Union Farmer Newsletter: June – July 2021

In this issue NFU Priorities for the Next Policy Framework NFU comments to Health Canada on regulating gene-edited products – By Cathy Holtslander Maintaining public trust in food system requires public regulation – By Lucy Sharratt Greyhound’s exit paves the way for a national public transit system, says NFU Should Canada trade away Supply Management? Read more