Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) introduced Bill C-18, the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act. Ritz said an open grain market will attract investment, encourage innovation, create value-added jobs, and build a stronger economy for all Canadians. Ritz said Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers will finally have the freedom to market their grain … Read more
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK), Conservative MP Mike Lake (Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont, AB) announced funding towards new technology for dairy farmers that will ensure quality control at all stages of the the dairy food supply and result in increased quality assurance and enhanced food safety. This project is being funded under the … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) completed a successful agriculture trade mission to Russia that has strengthened ties between Russia and Canadian livestock producers. In Moscow, Ritz welcomed the conclusion of bilateral negotiations on agriculture related elements for Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization following meetings with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov … Read more
On behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture Pierre Lemieux (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, ON) announced an investment of nearly $4 million to the University of Guelph to study and develop on-farm tools to help farmers mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and remain competitive in the global marketplace. The investment will … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) announced that Canadian agricultural products will be easier to find on German store shelves due to a new Canada Brand investment of $1 million. The initiative, part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, will drive promotional activities such as retail and restaurant promotions for a wide range of Canadian products. … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) welcomed news that the US Environmental Protection Agency has approved a Canadian petition which will significantly expand opportunities for Canadian canola exports to the United States for biodiesel production, a market the Canadian canola industry estimates is worth up to $450 million a year. The EPA's approval of the … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) announced that the Advance Payments Program for Western wheat and barley producers will now be delivered by the Canadian Canola Growers Association, who currently administer the program for over 20 other commodities in Western Canada. Western grain producers will be able to obtain their APP cash advances for winter … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloyminster, SK) welcomed the report of the working group on marketing freedom for Western Canadian producers of wheat and barley. The report draws on expert advice from across the grain industry and will play a vital role in the Government's planning for an orderly transition to marketing choice. The full release … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloyminster, SK) announced an investment of nearly $320,000 to the Canadian Cattlemen's Association at its annual fall picnic on Parliament Hill. The funding will go towards identifying a new diagnostic test for bovine tuberculosis in cattle that will be simpler and more cost-effective for regulatory agencies to administer. The full release … Read more
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz (Battlefords-Lloydminster, SK) announced that trade can start immediately now that the Government of Canada has reached new agreements on export certificates with the Serbian and Malaysian governments. Canadian breeders of sheep and goats will now benefit from new market access to the Serbian market and the Canadian livestock genetics industry will … Read more
