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Today Marks First Ever Agriculture Day

 
Today, February 16 marks Canada's first ever Agriculture Day.
 
It's a time to celebrate and draw a closer connection between Canadians, our food and the people who produce it.
 
In the 1930's, more than 90 per cent of Canadians had a connection to agriculture. Today that number is less than three per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
 
Candace Hill, manager of Agriculture More Than Ever, said Canada's Agriculture Day complements the industry-led initiative that has attracted over 470 partner organizations and 2,100 individuals committed to creating positive perceptions of agriculture.
 
Launched more than four years ago, Agriculture More Than Ever's goal is to encourage those involved in agriculture to speak up and speak positively about the industry.
 
"It's all about showing our love, pride and passion for an industry that puts food on our tables," said Hill. "We want to give everyone the opportunity to have a voice in the conversation and celebrate the industry that feeds the world."
 
Events to mark the occasion are being held Thursday across the country, with a major celebration taking place in Ottawa.
 

 

Source : Portageonline

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Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.