Protecting biosecurity on Cdn. farms

Feb 21, 2020

The federal ag critic introduced a private member’s bill to change the Health of Animals Act

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A member of the federal opposition has put forward a bill aimed at protecting farms from trespassers.

John Barlow, the Conservative shadow minister of agriculture and agri-food, introduced a private member’s bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday that would make it an offence under the Health of Animals Act to “enter, without lawful authority or excuse, a place in which animals are kept if doing so could result in the exposure of the animals to disease or toxic substance.”

The bill doesn’t limit people’s rights to peacefully protest on public property.

The provincial governments of Alberta, Quebec and Ontario have taken steps to increase penalties for farm trespassers.

This piece of legislation addresses a gap in farm protections on a national level.

“Currently, there is nothing that addresses trespassers, which is what this bill aims to change,” Barlow said in Ottawa on Wednesday.

The punishments would include fines that range from $50,000 to $500,000, and jail time ranging in duration from six months to two years.

Canadian farmers are in favour of Barlow’s bill.

Implementing this bill protects farmers on two fronts, said Joe Hofer, a livestock and crop producer from near Westlock, Alta.

“We live on our farms too, so when you’ve got people invading farms, they’re not only invading our workplace but our homes as well,” he told Farms.com. “I’m all for penalizing people who come onto our farms without our permission.”

Barlow mentioned biosecurity issues while introducing the bill.

“The risk from viruses like the (African) swine fever are very real,” Barlow said.

Keeping unwanted visitors out is one way to ensure the safety of farm animals, Hofer said.

“You don’t know where those people are coming from and what they’re bringing onto the farm,” he said. “All it takes is for one animal to get sick and then you’ve got an outbreak on your hands and you don’t know where it originated from.”

Industry stakeholders also support Barlow’s bill.

“We believe that the introduction of this bill is an important and necessary step in the right direction,” Mary Robinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, said in a statement.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.