Minister Bibeau wraps up successful trade mission to Indo-Pacific Region

May 02, 2023

OTTAWA, ON, The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, concluded a successful one-week trade mission to Japan and Singapore. The mission underscored one of the Government of Canada's top priorities under the Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS): to expand our partnerships and trade relationships in this region.

Throughout the outreach, Minister Bibeau took part in conversations with her international counterparts and in-market stakeholders, where she reinforced Canada's commitment to deepening and diversifying agriculture trade, promoting Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, sustainable global food trade, and food security.

In Japan, Minister Bibeau met with key Japanese agri-food stakeholders, Canadian industry associations, and Canadian businesses in Tokyo, to highlight the economic relationship between Canada and Japan, and discussed increasing trade and investment ties in the region.

Minister Bibeau also participated in the G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting in Miyazaki, where she discussed with her counterparts net zero initiatives, sustainable agriculture, resilient agricultural systems, and food security. The Minister also held bilateral meetings with key partners, including Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Nomura Tetsuro.

While in Singapore, Minister Bibeau attended the Food and Hotel Asia trade show with Alvin Tan, Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry. During the opening ceremony, she highlighted Canadian exporters, as well as their high-quality products and the refreshed Canada Brand that helps Canada stand out in increasingly crowded and competitive global marketplaces.

Minister Bibeau also joined Koh Poh Koon, Singapore's Senior Minister of State of Sustainability and the Environment, for a bilateral meeting to discuss Singapore's '30 by 30' Initiative to build up its agri-food industry's capacity, and how Canada can contribute to Singapore's food security goals.

Finally, Minister Bibeau hosted a round table discussion in Singapore with the Canada-ASEAN Business Council to discuss opportunities and challenges for Canadian companies operating in the region.

Source : Newswire.ca

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.