Agricultural debate showcases national parties’ priorities prior to election

Apr 22, 2025

Representatives from five national political parties spoke to the most pressing issues facing Canadian agriculture at a debate sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA).

Participants for the debate included Heather Ray with the NDP, Bloc Québécois spokesperson Yves Perron, John Barlow with the Conservative Party, current Agriculture Minister and Liberal Party candidate Kody Blois and Dr. Maria Rodriguez with the Green Party.

The participants had an animated discussion around their vision for the future of Canadian agriculture and how their parties would deal with current issues in the sector and while all five parties were supportive of Canada’s agriculture sector, they differed in their visions of its future and how to help the sector achieve its potential.

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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.