Commentary

CFFO Agri-Day: Experience Bee Farming in Niagara

August 16, 2019 | Marie Versteeg

This year, the CFFO is pleased to be hosting our annual Agri-Day in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Agri-Day is inspired by the diversity of Ontario agriculture. Our goal is to offer members and others opportunities to experience this diversity firsthand.

Showing Support for Canadian Farmers

August 9, 2019 | Josh Kraemer

As an advocacy group, the CFFO emphasizes the importance of these public benefits by promoting farmland preservation, water stewardship, soil health, and agri-food sector success.

Managing Nutrients with Best Management Practices

August 2, 2019 | Paul Bootsma

The ongoing work to reduce algal blooms in Lake Erie has moved to many farm fields in Southwestern Ontario where there is intensive cropping on some of the best soils and climate around.

CFFO Hosts Premier and fellow MPPs on Farm Tour

July 26, 2019 | Marie Versteeg

The CFFO’s Executive Board brought key concerns to elected officials this week during a farm tour in Lynden. Issues discussed ranged from the importance of farmland preservation to concerns about animal activism.

Pursuing Fair Federal Deals

July 19, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

Carbon taxes, pesticide regulations and food policy are three topics CFFO asked Minister Hardeman to take to the table at the Federal-Provincial Agriculture Ministers’ meeting this week. With “business as usual,” Canada is risking fair treatment of our farming sector and worsening trade distortions and business sustainability.

Pollinator Sanctuaries on Your Farm

July 12, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

On July 3, the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) hosted a tour of three sites that are part of Operation Pollinator. Operation Pollinator is “an international biodiversity program from Syngenta, designed to enhance the number of pollinating insects on farms and in out-of-play areas on golf courses.”

Canada’s First Food Policy

July 5, 2019 | By Josh Kraemer

Two weeks ago (June 17, 2019), the federal government released its first ever Food Policy for Canada. The policy will support Canada’s UN commitments to end hunger, promote good health, cut food waste, and encourage a sustainable food system.

Changes in the World Meat Market

June 28, 2019 | By Paul Bootsma

Pork prices are currently high and are expected to stay that way for a significant stretch of time. Why? The African Swine Fever disaster in China, the world’s largest pork consumer.

Excess Soil: A Cautionary Tale

June 21, 2019 | By Brenda Dyack

CFFO has strongly supported brownfield development because it helps to protect farmland. But we are worried that loosening up the rules could harm farmers who accept excess soil on their property.

The OSPCA Act Amendment: It’s a Money Matter

June 14, 2019 | By Marie Versteeg

On June 6th, Ontario passed the OSPCA Amendment Act (Interim Period), 2019, which will fill the gap in animal welfare enforcement left by the OSPCA when it quits the ground on June 28.