Ag Critic Wants Answers On China's Meat Ban

Aug 09, 2019

The Conservatives are demanding answers from the Liberal Government about China's ban on Canadian meat.

Back in June, export certificates believed to be forged were found attached to a batch of Canadian pork.

Federal Ag Critic, Luc Berthold, says they don't know what actions the Government is taking, if any.

Along with Trade Critic, Dean Allison, Berthold sent a letter to the Federal Agriculture Minister and Trade Minister on Thursday, August 8, asking what he calls "two simple questions".

"Has the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) addressed the problem of counterfeit export certificates to the satisfaction of the Chinese Government? And how much money is this trade barrier with the Chinese Government costing Canada's pork and beef sectors?"

He says they're under the impression the Liberals are doing nothing to help solve this trade issue.

"If this is not a political crisis like they always say, it could be simple to fix the problem of this certificate," he said.

Berthold says they don't know why they've seen no progress on getting this market back, which is why the Government needs to provide answers.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.