The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
French farmer wins case against Monsanto
Monsanto has been found guilty of the chemical poisoning of a French farmer, Paul Francois, who began to suffer from neurological problems after inhaling Lasso, a Monsanto weedkiller, in 2004. Read more…
Do You Agree with BC’s Decriminalization Rollback?
- Yes
- No
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Do you have a special story to share from your own backyard? Read the results of that poll here.
Report says science, not minister should rule Canada's fisheries
Fisheries management in Canada places too much discretion in the hands of the federal minister, conferring "czar-like" powers that have meant the country has lagged far behind others in protecting its oceans, says a study by an expert panel of some of Canada's most distinguished scientists. Read more…
- Food and
- Federal Politics
UN Right to Food Rapporteur plans spring mission to Canada
Olivier De Schutter, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food is coming to Canada in May in what will be his first mission to a developed country. Read more…
Cohen Commission hears explosive testimony on salmon disease
After two days of testimony, with one more to come on Monday, the Cohen Commission has heard remarkable assertions about Infectious Salmon Anemia virus in wild and farmed salmon on the B.C. coast. Both the mainstream media and the blogosphere have covered the hearings in detail. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
A look at Vancouver's urban farmers, by the numbers
There are only a handful of urban farms in Vancouver, with a total footprint of just a few acres scattered throughout the city. It's a small sector, but one with significant growth potential, according to researcher Marc Schutzbank. Read more…
Report indicates seven-year coverup of Infectious Salmon Anemia in BC salmon
A report released today indicates that the Canadian government has been aware for years that Infectious Salmon Anemia virus (ISAV) has existed on the B.C. coast. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
'Extreme challenges' for agricultural land commission, says delayed report
The British Columbia government released a year-old report today that found extreme challenges at the Agricultural Land Commission, but also announced plans and introduced legislation to fix those problems. Read more…
StatsCan aquaculture numbers show fall in BC wages, salaries
Statistics Canada released new data on aquaculture showing that in 2010, gross outputs increased in B.C. but salaries and wages fell by 12 per cent compared to 2009. Nationally, the fall was 7 per cent. Read more…
Raj Chouhan honored for long service on farmworker rights
Canadian Food and Commercial Workers presented its annual Cesar Chavez Black Eagle Awards on Nov. 2, to eight honourees, including veteran BC union organizer and NDP MLA Raj Chouhan. Read more…
Correction: Ottawa, Victoria say no ISA in BC salmon
Are B.C. wild salmon at risk from Infectious Salmon Anemia? The federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the provincial Minister of Agriculture, say no evidence of ISA has been found. Meanwhile a wild-salmon advocate says the situation now deserves to be called "salmongate." Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Morton: More ISA virus found in BC wild salmon
Lab tests have confirmed the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus in Rivers Inlet sockeye smolts and Fraser River coho, chinook and chum salmon, Alexandra Morton reported on her blog today. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Morton: 'Pestilence loosed upon BC' with second diseased salmon
Posting on her blog on October 29, wild-salmon advocate Alexandra Morton said a "pestilence is loosed upon BC" with the confirmation that a second wild salmon, caught in the Fraser River, had died of Infectious Salmon Anemia. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
'Deadly exotic' virus found in BC salmon
A deadly virus that devastated Chile's aquaculture industry has now been found in young salmon captured off B.C.'s central coast. Read more…
Eat less meat to help double world's food supply, says Canada-led study
A newly published blueprint for doubling the global food supply includes a key suggestion about how everyone can contribute to this increasingly pressing ambition: eat less meat. Read more…
COPE throws support behind New City Market
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth would like to see permanent farmers' market space in Vancouver supported by public dollars. But after years of planning and a $100,000 investment, the proposed New City Market has yet to deliver a business plan to council. Read more…
Pesticide testing is rigorous, Health Canada tells BC committee
The federal government already has a rigorous process for assessing pesticides, a Health Canada representative told a British Columbia committee today. Read more…
Metro Vancouver looks to revive farming at regional park
Can urban farms coexist with the nature-lovers and wildlife that share regional parks? That's Metro Vancouver's vision for Colony Farm Park, a former dairy farm that lies between Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. Read more…
HST decision 'huge disappointment' says agriculture sector
The B.C. Agriculture Council calls the HST the "single biggest benefit" government has given farmers in a long time - but not all are sad to see it go. Read more…
- Food and
- BC Politics
Morton blogs the Cohen Commission
Biologist and wild-salmon advocate Alexandra Morton is attending the new series of hearings by the Cohen Commission inquiring into the collapse of the 2009 sockeye run. The hearings will focus on aquaculture and fish diseases, and Morton is posting summaries of the hearings on her blog. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
Morton previews Cohen Commission sessions on aquaculture, diseases
Biologist and wild-salmon advocate Alexandra Morton has published a preview of next week's hearings at the Cohen Commission, which may need a change of venue to accommodate everyone who wants to attend. Read more…
- Food and
- Environment
