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Latest News

National Organic Products Regulations delayed

The CFIA has announced that the Organic Products Regulations will come into force June 30, 2009, not December 14, 2008 as previously stated.  The published amendment can be found at 
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2008/20080917/html/sor279-e.html


Markham, Ontario, first Canadian city to buy local and sustainable food


Full Story:  Announcement, June 4/08

The city has entered into an agreement with Local Food Plus that commits them to using LFP certified material and produce from local farmers. Our agreement mandates a minimum use of 10 per cent in the first year and an increase by 5 per cent every year.  LFP's certification process for farmers ensures that Markham is using its municipal buying power to procure locally and from sources that are transitioning to more sustainable farming practices.  These actions will help support Ontario's farm economy, address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pesticide use, curb urban sprawl, protect Ontario farm lands  and promote sustainable farming practices.


10 Reasons Why Organic Can Feed the World

Full Story:  The Ecologist.org

Can organic farming feed the world? Ed Hamer and Mark Anslow say yes, but we must farm and eat differently.  This article discusses how organic food can feed the world, using 10 different issues as examples; yield, climate change, and job creation among them.  A companion article found on the Ecologist website is 10 Reasons Why GM Won't Feed the World


International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) appreciates International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology (IAASTD) report on a new agricultural paradigm

Full Story:  IFOAM.org

The IAASTD report underlines the necessity of a deep rethinking of the approach to agriculture. IFOAM expresses moderate satisfaction for IAASTD report and for its attempt to rethink the approach to agriculture, giving farmers a central role.


Organic Farmers Watching Prices Fall

Full Story:  CBC.ca 20/03/08

The organic market is the fastest-growing food sector in North America, but despite growing demand, farmers are watching prices for their produce fall.  


Mitigating Climate Change through
Organic Agriculture and Localized Food Systems

Full Story:  ISIS Press Release 31/01/08

Organic, sustainable agriculture that localize food systems has the potential to mitigate nearly thirty percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and save one-sixth of global energy use.


What Do We Gain Eating Organic Food?

Full Story:  The Winnipeg Free Press  Click here to view the scanned article.

Journalist Cheryl Binning spoke with Organic Food Council of Manitoba Chair Janine Gibson about the benefits of organic food and agriculture.  Her article details some of the reasons to choose to eat organic foods, demystifies organic price premiums, and discusses methods of reducing your organic grocery bill. 


The Organic Federation of Canada/Fédération biologique du Canada opens an office in Montreal

Full Story:  OFC-FBC Overview 

The Organic Federation of Canada/Fédération biologique du Canada has been established in response to the federal government’s request to be able to communicate with one organic sector on regulatory issues. It also addresses the organic sector’s commitment to a voice and responsibility in the ongoing development of organic standards and regulations. The OFC/FBC is registered as a not-for-profit organization to advance federal policy dialogue from the perspective of the organic sector.  Click here for minutes from the OFC-FBC AGM and Board of Directors Meeting, November 22, 2007


Urban Agriculture Courses Becoming Available

Full Story:  Urban Agriculture Courses email

Starting from January 2008, students, staff from NGOs and research institutes, representatives from local and national governments as well as internationalwww organizations can sign up for the urban agriculture courses with a focus to enabling multi-stakeholder research, action planning, policy development and implementation on urban agriculture.


Response to World Bank Annual Development Report - Agriculture for Development - 2008

Full Story:  www.foodnews.ca

On October 19, the World Bank released its Annual Development Report for 2008. For the first time in a quarter century, the report focuses on agriculture. The complete report can viewed here. The Misereor and Heinrich Boll Foundations have just released a very thorough and systematic response to the Bank's report entitled "Response from a Slow Trade - Sound Farming Perspective.". The critique highlights the relative neglect that agriculture has received in development circles for the past generation and highlights weaknesses and omissions of the report


Going Organic:  A Report on the Opportunities for Organic Agriculture in Saskatchewan

Full Story:  Government of Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture and Food

Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Lon Borgerson's report to the Saskatchewan government offers many practical recommendations on how to increase support for organic farming in that province.


New Study Shows Genetically Engineered Corn Could Pollute Aquatic Ecosystems

Full Story:  Environmental News Network

A study by an Indiana University environmental science professor and several colleagues suggests a widely planted variety of genetically engineered corn has the potential to harm aquatic ecosystems. The study is being published this week by the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.


Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Has a New Webpage

Click here to view.  This page has been updated on our links page.


Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Launches New Organic Logo

Full Story: CFIA Newsroom Information Bulletin

The logo, which is a part of the new Organic Products Regulations announced in December 2006, will tell consumers that they are purchasing products that are federally certified as organic.

 

Launch of the Organic Ranchers Label

OFCM-COG member Helene Bouvier is launching her label “Organic Ranchers,” to market 100% Canadian certified organic beef from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has already approved labeling Organic Ranchers products with the USDA certified organic logo and has given permission to Organic Ranchers to use the Canada Organic logo once it’s released.  Shoppers should look for products in stores at the beginning of October, 2007.

 

The Farmers Markets Association of Manitoba (FMAM) is official

 

The new association was officially incorporated on August 14/07.  It brings together 19 Farmers Markets across Manitoba and strives to enable, educate and support its Member Markets as well as advocate on their behalf.  Some of the ways FMAM may do this are by increasing awareness of markets in Manitoba through advertising campaigns, increasing producer/vendor buying power through bulk purchases of canopies, grocery bags, aprons and other market supplies, and promoting partnerships with other co-operatives, non-profits, and groups encouraging the consumption of local foods.  For more information check out FMAM's temporary website www.members.shaw.ca/fmmb/ 

 

 

Deconstructing Dinner Building National Food Security Directory

 

The Deconstructing Dinner radio program (Nelson, BC) is in the process of creating a national directory of food security groups. Our hope is that the broadcasts airing on the 24 radio stations carrying our program will inspire the public to join up with groups in their local/regional area. We hope this list will be the most comprehensive out there. We are asking for help in putting this together and request that information about your local/regional/provincial food security groups be sent to us for inclusion in the directory. We require at best... Group Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, Email, Web Site, Contact Name, 1-2 Sentence Description.  Please forward all information to Lainey Benson at laineyben@hotmail.com  For back issues on the show, go to: http://www.cjly.net/deconstructingdinner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This page was last updated on: 2008-10-06.