Food + Farming
Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
By May 23, 2012 09:35 am 7 commentsRICHMOND, B.C. - Richmond City Council says engineered crops and plants have no place in the gardens of Metro Vancouver. Read more…
Cohen rejects request to reopen salmon hearings
By May 20, 2012 11:50 am 11 commentsCommissioner Bruce Cohen last week rejected an application to reopen his inquiry into the crash of the sockeye salmon, saying evidence of a new salmon virus (HSMI) was too new and uncertain to warrant such a step when his final report is due on September 30. Read more…
Filed inBC biotech company seeks approval for GM apple
By May 18, 2012 12:11 pm 10 commentsA Summerland-based biotechnology company is seeking Canadian approval for a genetically engineered non-browning apple. Read more…
Filed inBC committee crosses Clark on cosmetic pesticide ban
By May 17, 2012 12:27 pm 9 commentsA year ago British Columbia Premier Christy Clark promised a province-wide ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. But now the government majority on the bi-partisan committee she appointed on the topic has recommended against such a ban. Read more…
Canada should drop 'self-righteous' attitude over food: UN Rapporteur
By May 16, 2012 10:01 am 9 commentsOlivier De Schutter, the UN's Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food wrapped up his mission to Canada with a message that the federal government needs to take seriously the widespread problem of hunger in this wealthy country. Read more…
Filed inReporters will remain free to report on animal disease outbreaks: minister
By May 15, 2012 03:45 pm 1 commentsThe British Columbia government has no intention of restricting journalists from reporting on disease outbreaks on farms, said Agriculture Minister Don McRae. Read more…
Right to Food Rapporteur wraps up first week in Canada
By May 11, 2012 12:34 pm 1 commentsOlivier De Schutter met with civil society groups in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg to discuss a range of issues related to food security; including poverty and hunger, GMOs, migrant workers policies and foreign investment in Canadian farmland. Read more…
Filed inBC Liberals used taxpayer resources to bash opposition: NDP
By May 10, 2012 03:05 pm 7 commentsThe British Columbia government is using taxpayer resources for partisan BC Liberal political purposes, said NDP House Leader John Horgan. Read more…
BC commissioner critical of animal health secrecy measures
By May 3, 2012 04:28 pmInformation and privacy commissioner Elizabeth Denham has sent her second letter this week criticizing a British Columbia government bill. Read more…
Federal agriculture budget cuts worrisome, but BC lab move welcomed
By April 16, 2012 04:05 pmThe chair of the British Columbia Wine Grape Council said that while he is worried about the federal government's cuts to the agriculture budget, he welcomes the plan to close the Centre for Plant Health on Vancouver Island and move its activities to a research station in the Okanagan. Read more…
New Norwegian virus in farmed salmon: Morton
By April 13, 2012 03:55 pm 2 commentsWild-salmon advocate Alexandra Morton says B.C. supermarkets are now selling farmed salmon that tests positive for a new virus that may also be harming wild salmon. Read more…
Filed inAgriculture, food safety hard hit by staff cuts
By April 11, 2012 03:39 pm 3 commentsMore than 5,500 federal service employees were notified today that they could lose their jobs. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is amongst the hardest-hit federal department with 689 notices received. Read more…
Filed inEnd of 'Enviropig' project proves little interest in GM meat
By April 4, 2012 05:32 pm 8 commentsA herd of genetically-modified pigs in Ontario will likely be euthanized because of a lack of interested buyers. Read more…
Filed inCritics question carbon tax grants for greenhouse sector
By April 3, 2012 06:49 pm 17 commentsThe British Columbia government announced today it will give greenhouse businesses back what it collects from the sector in carbon tax, a move critics say will have other industries wanting the same treatment. Read more…
Filed inCompany amassing options on protected Delta farmland
By April 3, 2012 02:13 pm 4 commentsA development company has quietly put together $100 million in options to purchase 226 hectares of Delta farmland now protected in the agricultural land reserve, independent MLA Vicki Huntington said today. Read more…
NDP critic finds BC agriculture plan empty
By March 16, 2012 05:23 pm 7 commentsThe British Columbia government's plans for agriculture are meaningless without money to pay for them, said New Democratic Party Agriculture Critic Lana Popham. Read more…
Atlantic salmon in Lower Mainland markets test positive for ISA virus: Morton
By March 13, 2012 04:10 pm 9 commentsAtlantic salmon purchased in three Lower Mainland supermarkets have tested positive for Infectious Salmon Anemia virus (ISAV), according to biologist and wild-salmon advocate Alexandra Morton. While ISAV is not known to harm humans, it poses a threat to both farmed and wild salmon. Read more…
Filed inBC salmon-farming critic removed from Canada but vows to continue battle
By March 5, 2012 03:50 pm 1 commentsVANCOUVER -- Only days after he was removed from Canada for overstaying a visitor's permit, a controversial salmon-farming critic says he has settled in Norway to "slay the dragon in its own lair." Read more…
Filed inUS court dismisses lawsuit against Monsanto
By February 27, 2012 02:03 pm 6 commentsA U.S. judge has thrown out a lawsuit against Monsanto and criticized the plaintiffs for creating "a controversy where none exists." .
The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) was hoping for a ruling that would stop Monsanto from suing farmers or dealers if their organic seed became contaminated with Monsanto's patented genetically modified seed. The Public Patent Foundation filed the lawsuit on behalf of OSGATA and more than 50 other organizations in March, 2011 Read more…
Filed inJumbo-sized carbon footprint of farmed shrimp tracked by scientist
By February 17, 2012 02:15 pm 6 commentsWonder no more what is the carbon footprint of a shrimp cocktail -- for every 551 grams of aquaculture shrimp produced, a ton of carbon is released into the atmosphere. Read more…
Filed in
The next page contains:
French farmer wins case against Monsanto
Report says science, not minister should rule Canada's fisheries
UN Right to Food Rapporteur plans spring mission to Canada
Cohen Commission hears explosive testimony on salmon disease
A look at Vancouver's urban farmers, by the numbers
Report indicates seven-year coverup of Infectious Salmon Anemia in BC salmon
'Extreme challenges' for agricultural land commission, says delayed report
StatsCan aquaculture numbers show fall in BC wages, salaries
Raj Chouhan honored for long service on farmworker rights
Correction: Ottawa, Victoria say no ISA in BC salmon
Morton: More ISA virus found in BC wild salmon
Morton: 'Pestilence loosed upon BC' with second diseased salmon
'Deadly exotic' virus found in BC salmon
Eat less meat to help double world's food supply, says Canada-led study
COPE throws support behind New City Market
Pesticide testing is rigorous, Health Canada tells BC committee
Metro Vancouver looks to revive farming at regional park
HST decision 'huge disappointment' says agriculture sector
Morton blogs the Cohen Commission
Morton previews Cohen Commission sessions on aquaculture, diseases
The page after that contains:
Cohen Commission resumes hearings
Feds leave slaughterhouse inspections to B.C.
Wheat Board holds first of several meetings on future, MLAs, MPs invited
Federal scientists' union protests 'muzzling' of salmon researcher
Saanich council passes local food motion
Province seeks public input on house size in ALR
New website, app map Vancouver's food sources
Revamped Save-On-Meats subject of Oprah network series
BC government delays report while agricultural commission suffers: NDP critic
New fish farm proposal spawns call for moratorium
Foreign trade zone threatens Delta farmland, says MLA
Morton: 'We won't save wild salmon unless more people get involved'
Conservatives poised to end Wheat Board monopoly
Parties weigh in on CETA
People's food policy offers blueprint for food secure Canada
Farmers' markets have tenuous hold on urban space
Report shows gap between rules and reality for US farm workers
Morton charges DFO coverup, declares 'May Day' for wild salmon
Farmers, customers burned by Home Grow-In look to rebuild
Farnworth backed by NDP farm set
On The Hook
I will be your Hook editor for this week. But although my particular focus at The Tyee is education, youth issues, and a little bit of poverty and homelessness, we will still be bringing you the latest news from across British Columbia and the country. Count on updates about the student strikes in Quebec, the latest news about oil and gas developments that directly affect this province, local, provincial, and national politics, and more. Stay tuned.
-- Katie Hyslop
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