(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Monday July 22, 2019

Jul 22, 2019 | 11:08 AM

Agriculture ministers from across Canada are taking a closer look farm business risk management programs.

Speaking at the closing of the annual ministers meeting in Quebec City, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said some improvements will be considered for the AgriStability program.

Marit said another meeting of agriculture ministers is set for this fall.

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Former Agriculture minister Lyle Stewart will seek re-election next year.

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Stewart resigned from cabinet last summer to battle colorectal cancer, but remained an MLA.

He said he finished chemotherapy a month ago.

Stewart farms west of Regina at Pense and will be seeking a sixth term of office. He was first elected to the legislature in 1999.

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The 2019 International Wheat Congress is being held in Saskatoon.

With almost 900 registrants, the meeting is believed to be the largest gathering of wheat researchers ever held.

Scientists and policy-makers from more than 50 countries will focus on the future of wheat in helping to avert a global food security crisis by 2050.

More than 80 speakers will discuss the latest advances in wheat research, including wheat improvement, sustainability, yield protection, and nutrition, safety and human health. The meeting is expected to underscore the role of Saskatchewan and Canada as leaders in wheat research.

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The head of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance is criticizing “protectionist” country-of-origin labelling rules in Italy as agri-food exports to the European Union have dropped since a trade agreement with the EU came into force.

Brian Innes said the consequences of the non-tariff barriers are real, noting they’re shutting out a significant portion of Canadian agri-food exports from the EU market.

Agri-food exports to the EU have dropped 10 per cent since the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement took effect and the alliance said Canadian exports of durum wheat to Italy dropped 68 per cent between 2016 and 2018. Canadian pork and beef exports increased more than 100 per cent last year, but Innes noted they are starting from a very small base and remain well short of the potential trade.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF