Proposed Update of the Provincial Lands Act

The Government of Saskatchewan is seeking input from people across the province to improve and modernize The Provincial Lands Act.

The Act provides the authority to the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment to administer provincial Crown lands.

The Ministries of Agriculture and Environment will be holding consultation meetings throughout the province.  Consultations will help inform changes to the Act.  Crown land clients will receive notification letters of these meetings.

Consultations will address issues such as: improving client service; clarifying language and administration; identifying solutions for land-use conflicts; developing enforcement mechanisms; and strengthening regulatory frameworks.

To read the complete SK Ministry of Agriculture News Release, click here.

June 12, 2013

Governments Announce New Research Chair to Focus on Forage

Today, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced funding of $1.25 million over five years for the creation of a forage research chair at the University of Saskatchewan.

The forage research chair will focus on forage breeding with an emphasis on developing new forage varieties with improved yields.  A dedicated forage research chair will result in new options for Saskatchewan producers to help improve profitability, competitiveness and sustainability in the long-term.

“The creation of the forage chair is a direct response to industry needs,” said Ritz.  “Strengthening forage research capacity in Saskatchewan supports innovation for long-term profitability and sustainability for producers.”

“We have heard from industry that better forage varieties are needed to assist with the long-term growth of the livestock industry in Saskatchewan,” Stewart said.  “The new forage research chair announced today is a good first step toward the expansion of Saskatchewan’s livestock and forage industries.”

The creation of a forage research chair addresses a recommendation from the Beef, Feed and Forage Review conducted in 2012.  In addition, feedback from industry groups during the Growing Forward 2 consultations, including the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Saskatchewan Forage Council and Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, highlighted the need for increased investment in forage research.

To read the complete SK Ministry of Agriculture News Release, click here.

Posted June 10, 2013

The Roundup Ready® Alfalfa Assessment

Monsanto Canada Inc. and Forage Genetics International LLC have jointly developed Roundup Ready® alfalfa for use in the commercial production of forage for livestock feed.  This product has the capacity to withstand the application of Roundup® herbicide, which would enable alfalfa producers to suppress or control weeds.

In 2005, Roundup Ready® alfalfa underwent livestock feed, environmental safety and food assessments conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and HC.

As part of this process, Monsanto Canada Inc. and Forage Genetics International LLC provided extensive data and related scientific literature for review by scientists at the CFIA and HC.  The submitted data included a detailed description of how Roundup Ready® alfalfa was developed and how the tolerance to Roundup® occurred in the plant.  Roundup Ready® alfalfa was field tested in Canada under strictly controlled conditions in Manitoba and Ontario.  These field trials provided essential data required for the safety assessments.  Field trial data confirmed that Roundup Ready® alfalfa behaved no differently than conventional alfalfa.

The CFIA’s environmental safety assessment concluded that Roundup Ready® alfalfa does not pose any safety risks to the environment. The assessment also concluded that Roundup Ready® alfalfa has no detrimental effect on bees, other insects or other plants.  The livestock feed safety assessment determined that Roundup Ready® alfalfa is nutritionally equivalent to conventional alfalfa and similar to commercial varieties grown in North America. Further, the analysis showed that no new toxins or allergens were present.  HC conducted a similar analysis and determined that food from Roundup Ready® alfalfa poses no risk to human health.

In 2013, Gold Medal Seeds Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Forage Genetics International LLC, submitted an application for variety registration to the CFIA. The application was assessed and the variety was registered on April 26, 2013. Variety registration enables Roundup Ready® alfalfa seed to be commercially sold in Canada.

To read the complete CFIA News Release, click here.

June 10, 2013 

Harper Gov Unveils Details of Federal Growing Forward 2 Programs

Edmonton, Alberta, January 31, 2013 - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today the details of the AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness Programs under Canada's new agricultural policy framework Growing Forward 2. These programs complement the AgriInnovation Program which was unveiled in December, 2012.

The AgriMarketing Program, which comes into effect on April 1, 2013, is now accepting applications. The new program – a five-year, $341-million initiative -- is designed to help industry improve its capacity to adopt assurance systems, such as food safety and traceability, to meet consumer and market demands. It will also support industry in maintaining and seizing new markets for their products through branding and promotional activities.

“Our Government knows the importance of innovation and trade to the agriculture industry which is why, we made market development a cornerstone of Growing Forward 2,” said Minister Ritz. “By focusing on proactive and cost-effective investments, Growing Forward 2 will give producers the tools they need to compete in markets in Canada and around the world.”

The new $115-million AgriCompetitiveness Program will make targeted investments to help the sector adapt to rapidly changing and emerging global and domestic opportunities and issues, respond to market trends and enhance business and entrepreneurial capacity. The AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness Programs are in addition to the $698-million AgriInnovation Program which will focus on investments to expand the sector’s capacity to develop and commercialize new products and technologies. The AgriInnovation Program began accepting applications in December, 2012. All three programs come into effect on April 1, 2013.

To read the complete AAFC News Release, click here.

January 31, 2013