GRCA raises concerns

 

The directors of the Grand River Conservation Authority are telling the provincial government they have many concerns with the proposal to merge eight conservation authorities into one stretching from Windsor to Arthur.

It’s one part of a bigger proposal to merge about 36 conservation authorities into seven.

They said the proposals mean that municipalities will be required to provide most of the money but will have little say because the new authority will be governed by 22 people appointed by the province.

The governance of the current authorities is by municipal councillors and mayors.

They said municipalities depend on information and advice from their local conservation authorities when they undertake planning and zoning and are considering development proposals and they feel the new organization will be too large to effectively respond to them.

Directors also raised concerns about timely emergency responses to flooding.

The Grand River Conservation Authority concerns are an echo of similar concerns raised by other regions who face mergers.

Researchers make nitrogen-fixing wheat

Plant breeders have developed wheat plants capable of creating their own nitrogen fertilizer.

Researchers at the University of California used gene editing technology to increase a naturally-occurring chemicals that allow wheat to fix nitrogen .

 

“For decades, scientists have been trying to develop cereal crops that produce active root nodules, or trying to colonize cereals with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, without much success. We used a different approach,” said Eduardo Blumwald in a report in ScienceDaily publication.

Researchers, led by Blumwald, examined 2,800 chemicals that plants make naturally and identified 20 that could encourage nitrogen-fixing bacteria to form biofilms, the report said.

The university has applied for a patent and Bayer Crop Science has provided some money for the research.

Blumwald said that based on an estimate of wheat acreage, plants that can fix there own nitrogen would be worth $1 billion a year.

It could be even more important for poor farmers, such as many in Africa, who can’t afford nitrogen fertilizer, he said.

Lindsay Dykeman wins awar

Lindsay Dykeman, general manager of the Ontario Dairy Goat Co-operative, has won the first annual Peter Hannam award.

She was chosen by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture for the award named for a former federation president, successful farmer and entrepreneur.

Dykeman is also a director of the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture and of the Kincardine Agricultural Society and is secretary-treasurer of Bruce Countu Community Pasture.

She is now studying under Advanced Agricultural Leadership program.

                           

Broccoli under recall

 

Some Market Fresh brand broccoli florets are under recall.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency discovered salmonella and triggered the recall in all provinces from Ontario east.

The agency said there have been no reports of consumers sickened by the broccoli.

Dietrich to head Holstein Canada

 

Greg Dietrich of Mildmay has been chosen executive director of Holstein Canada.

He began his career with Holstein Canada, was its national registrar and classifier.

The post has been vacant since Sartaj Sarkaria left in May.

Linda Markle and Chris Bartels filled the gap as co-chief operating officers.

Dietrich has also worked for Semex Canada, for Progenesis and at the family farm, Character Dairy Genetics.

                           

OFA leadership re-elected

 

Drew Spoelstra has been re-elected president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Sara Wood and Ethan Wallace as first and second vice-presidents.

It is Spoelstra’s third term as president.

“Over the course of the past year, we’ve seen a huge emphasis on taking a team approach to achieve the best results – from buy Canadian promotions to political leaders working together to tackle issues like tariffs and interprovincial trade barriers and more,” said Spoelstra, in a release. “The work at OFA is also a team approach, from county federations to partners across the sector and beyond, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the OFA’s president for another year.”

Beef farmers support food bank

Beef farmers from Grey and Bruce counties have donated almost $4,000 to Grey Bruce Food Share food bank.

“As beef farmers, it’s our mission to help feed our community with good, nutritious food,” said Calvin Anstett, president of the Bruce County Beef Farmers. 

“And at Christmas—when so many families are feeling the strain—that mission feels even more important. We’re grateful to be able to support our neighbours in ameaningful way.”

Matt McKinnon of the Grey County Beef Farmers Association said “giving back to our community is at the heart of what we do.

"The Beef Farmers of Ontario has long been a strong advocate for grassroots donations to local food banks, and we’re proud to continue that tradition here in Grey and Bruce.”

            
Grey County Beef Farmers Association president Matt McKinnon and Bruce County

Beef Farmers president Calvin Anstett (right) hand their donations to help purchase

beef to Volunteer Pat McDonough

 

Farmers support nine veterinary students

 

The Ontario Federation has organized a program that is providing scholarships to nine veterinary students.

OFA president Drew Spoelstra said access to veterinary care is essential for livestock health, food safety and farm productivity.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario is supporting Alison Eyre of Athens in Eastern Ontario and Lily Copp of Erin in Wellington County.

Beef Farners of Ontario is supporting Hope Grootenboer of Murillo in Thunder Bay District.

Veal Farmers of Ontario is supporting Erica Robertson of Kent Bridge in Chatham-Kent.

Ontario Sheep Farmers and EastGen are co-sponsoring Samantha Dixon of New Hamburg.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is supporting Mavis Carberry of Guelph-Eramosa, Alexa Elford of Kimberley in Grey County, Claire Koch of Baden in Waterloo Region and Sidney Sicard of Markdale.

Health Canada approves GMO tomato

Health Canada has approved a new tomato variety that incorporates a gene from snapdragon flowers so the tomatoes are purple.

Researcher Cathie Martin at the United Kingdom’s John Innes Institute did the research and plant breeding.

 

 Norfolk Healthy Produce got Health Canada’s approval to bring The Purple Tomato to Canada.

This seems to have flown under the media’s radar. I heard about them from an Australian crop breeder at a University of Manitoba lecture this fall, wrote Geralyn Wichers in the Manitoba Cooperator newspaper.

Campbell Soup exec disses company’s fare

A recording of comments by a company executive has prompted Florida’s attorney general to launch an investigation into Campbell Soup Co.

The recording was captured secretly and posted on social media.

Martin Bally, Campbell’s executive vice president and chief information security officer, said he no longer buys Campbell’s products and said he is concerned about lab-grown meat.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a social media post that Florida “doesn’t do fake, lab-grown meat” and vowed to enforce the law and “shut down” violators. The state’s Consumer Protection division is now launching a formal investigation into Campbell’s.

The recording includes a speaker identified as Bally saying he didn’t want to eat “a piece of chicken that came from a 3D printer.”

Campbell’s has denied using lab-grown ingredients. “We use 100 per cent real chicken in our soups,” James F. Regan, director of external communications, told a reporter. “Any claims to the contrary are completely false.”

The recording was made by former employee Robert Garza, who is suing Campbell’s and a supervisor in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court for retaliation and employment discrimination. The lawsuit claims Garza was fired in January after raising concerns about Bally’s conduct.

Seven states, including Florida, ban the production or sale of lab-grown meat. Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the legislation was aimed at protecting traditional livestock producers and pushing back against efforts “to force the world to eat meat grown in a petri dish.”

CFIA lifts Wellington County quarantine

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has revoked its quarantine zone in Wellington County.

It was established Oct. 9 in reponse to an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in a poultry flock.

Hatching egg production to increase

 

The Farm Products Council of Canada has approved the hatching egg agency’s proposals to increase production this year and next.

The directors of the supply management agency set a 2025 target based on a consumer demand of 446 million kilograms (eviscerated), which represents growth of 3.1per cent above actual production in 2024.

The directors set the 2026 revised allocation based on chicken production of 1,482 million kilograms (eviscerated), which represents growth of 2.5 per cent above the 2025 projected chicken production. 

Turkey quota increases in Ontario

 

The national agency for turkey supply management has increased Ontario’s allocation by 1,862,242 kilograms so the total now is 79,963,603.

The increase is the lion’s share of the national increase of 1,923,470 kilograms.

U.S. pasta tariff sideswipes Canadian durum wheat

 

The United States threat of a 92 per cent on Italian pasta is sideswiping Canadian durum wheat.

Some of the highest-quality and most popular Italian pastas earn their quality status by using Canadian durum wheat.

That tariff would be in addition to the 15 per cent tariff U.S. president Donald Trump’s administration has imposed on European exports in general, bringing the total to 107 per cent.

The final decision is due Jan. 2, although it could be extended by 60 days.

About 12.5 per cent of Italy’s pasta exports are to the United States.

Italy is Canada’s largest customer for durum wheat. Italy purchased 807,500 tonnes during the first 11 months of 2024-25, up from 387,600 tonnes from the same time a year earlier.

It’s ironic that Italian pastas are strong competitors in Canada’s supermarkets and specialty shops.

Health Canada stalls on cloning livestock

 

DuBreton, an organic hog-packiing company in Quebec, said it welcomes a move by Health Canada to indefinitely suspend a proposed update to the novel food policy governing foods derived from cloned cattle, pigs and their offspring.

Health Canada said there are currently no approved foods from cloned products on the market in Canada.

It said it received pushback when it posted proposals for comment.

DuBreton and others said they want product labeling so the public knows if meat or milk comes from cloned animals.

Health Canada did not pretend its suspension is based on science.

CFIA issues electronic export certificates

The Canadian Food Inspection Service has announced it can now issue an electronic version of its hytosanitary export certificates.

The certificates declare plants or plant products have been inspected and are free from pests.

Canada and Mexico will explore expanding the tool to other agriculture and agri-food products.

The move comes as part of the Canada-Mexico Action Plan announced in September.

Many countries rely on paper phytosanitary certificates, but these have major drawbacks, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

It said exporting companies found savings ranging from 25 cents to $5.98 per tonne for fruit shipments.

Sheep farmers honour three leaders

 

Laurie Maus, Len Hilderley and Andrew Pearson have earned  awards from Sheep Farmers of Ontario.

Maus has a master’s degree in biology, has experience with cattle, horses, sheep and poultry and contributed to improved parasite management.

She coached farmers on gathering fecal egg samples and sound production practices.

Hilderley is a skllled shearer, a former teacher, offered sharpening services, sold fencing and was a leader in training and certification for ultrasound services.

Modest to a fault, Hilderly doesn’t give himself enough credit for the positive contributions he has made to the industry, said Chris Vervoort who nominated him for the award.

They both earned Long Service awards.

Andrew Pearson won the Emerging Leader Award which honours young members who embody social responsibility, innovation and notable contributions to the sheep industry.

Pearson is a 2011 University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus graduate, joined the family farm and began a dairy sheep flock in 2021 and runs the Ontario Sheep wool depot.

NFU executive re-elected

Jenn Pfenning, an organic farmer from New Hamburg, Ont., has been re-elected president of the National Farmers Union during its annual meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Phil Mount of Ontario and Julie Maxwell of Saskatchewan were re-elected vice-presidents.

Adama Bundu of Alberta  continues as youth president and Claire Pertula of Ontario continues as president for black, indibgenous and people of colour.

Summer Hansell of Manitoba is new as women’s vice-president, Sarah Voley of Saskatchewan new as youth vice-president and Chadwick Lewis of Ontario new as vice-president of black, indigenous and people of colour.

Charlebois on beef

Sylvain Charlebois has an informative column about Canada's tariff system for beef.

He writes that an advisory committee has not met since 2015 and that at least one applicant for a supplementary import permit has been refused, so his imported beef is sitting in storage.

Charlebois recommends that the government's Bureau of Competition Policy investigate because it seems that two foreign meat-packing companies dominate the market and the import system - Cargill and JBS.

The tariff-rate quotas and the opportunity to obtain a supplementary import permit are designed to make the beef industry fair for everyone, including consumers. 

It seems the government doesn't care that it's not working.

But there is an economic answer, which is that the cure for high prices is higher prices, and for low prices is lower prices. That has always worked for the Canadian beef industry, but that was before two foreign beef packers dominated the market.

AgriCorp seeks fee increase

 

AgriCorp has applied for an increase in the fee it charges farm organizations to administer the farm registration business program.

The increase is 40 cents per applicant – from $19.90 to $20.30.

There is no change to the fee farmers pay, which is $155 plus HST which brings it to $175.15.

The province’s regulations registry says the deadline for comment is Nov. 24, the same day it posted the notice on its website.

                           

Another avian flu outbreak

 

A second commercial poultry farm in Strathroy-Caradoc has been hit by an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian infliuenza.

Quarantine zones are In place and any vehicles associated with the poultry industry will need Canadian Food Inspection Agency permission to exit or enter.

Meanwhile, daily outbreaks continue to be reported in British Columbia and Alberta.

Danone settles with Silk clients

Danone has reached a $6.5-million settlement with people sickened with Listeria monocytogenes in its Silk brand milk alternative products.

The Canadian subsidiary of French dairy giant Danone SA contracted with Joriki Inc. to make the Silk products at its plant at Pickering, Ont.

The plant closed and Joriki has filed for protection from creditors. Intact insurance is also on the hook for the settlement.

The compensation, which ranges from $400 to $300,000 depending on the severity of the person’s case, will be paid out by the defendants, except Walmart, according to the court documents.

Walmart’s Great Value brand plant milk made at the same facility, but not linked to the outbreak.

Several varieties of almond, coconut and other plant milks under the Silk and Great Value brands were recalled on July 8, 2024, after public-health officials linked listeria cases to a production line at the Pickering site. 

Three people died and dozens more were sickened.

Trump dumps tariff on Brazil’s beef

 

United States President Donald Trump has ended his 40 per cent tariff on beef from Brazil.

Still it faces a remaining tariff of 26.4 per cent.

He also eased tariffs on Brazil’s coffee, tea, cocoa, nuts and some fruits and juices.

His tariff changes come after continued rising grocery prices that have defied his election promises to reduce food prices on day one of his presidency.

Brazil sold US $1.5 billion worth of beef to the U.S. over the first eight months of this year.

Trump imposed the 40 per cent additional tariff against former president Jair Bolsonaro who is now serving a 27-year sentence in prison. He was thrown out by a coup.

On another front in the Trump offensive against record-high beef prices, Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater said the Department of Justice is launching antitrust enforcement on the beef industry, feed, fertilizer, seed, fuel and farm equipment.

The Department recently completed an antitrust investigation of the beef industry and laid no charges. That investigation was launched by former Joe Biden’s administration and focused on wages and information sharing.

Another Tyson price-fixing deal

A group of commercial and institutional pork buyers has reached a settlement with Tyson Foods but the amount remains to be revealed when the courts approve the deal.

This lawsuit was filed by the Commercial and Institutional Indirect Purchaser Plaintiffs..

Earlier this month a federal judge granted preliminary approval of a class action settlement requiring Tyson Foods Inc. to pay $85 million to the Consumer Indirect Purchaser Plaintiffs class. 

                           

U.S. relies on vitamins from China

 

A study of supply chains has  found that the United Stagtes hog-feeding industry is heavily reliant on imports from China.

The study by The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), in partnership with Decision Innovation Solutions and Lobo Consulting Solutions, said that makes the U.S. hog industry vulnerable t supply chain interruptions.

It reports that the U.S. has limited domestic production of amino acids, accounting for less than 20 per cent of global capacity, and almost no production of vitamins, except for niacin (B3), which makes up just seven per cent of total global output. 

As a result, the U.S. feed industry relies heavily on imports, particularly from China, which supplies a significant share of supplemental amino acids and vitamins., the report said.

For example, all of the imported lysine is from China.

Vitamin imports are highly dependent on China especially for thiamine (B1), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), and vitamin E, where Chinese sources account for more than 80 per cent of the total imports. 

The report said this heavy dependence on imports from a limited number of sources highlights the vulnerability of U.S. animal feed production to global supply chain disruptions.

If supply chain disruptions occur, diet modifications could compensate for some supplemental nutrients. 

For market hogs, reformulating diets to offset restricted supplementation was partially feasible using alternative feed ingredients (e.g., alfalfa meal, soybean meal, DDGS, and fishmeal). However, such adjustments increased feed costs and, in some cases, especially for B vitamins and vitamin D, no practical formulation could meet industry nutrient standards without supplementation of vitamins.

Metro sales up by 3.4 per cent

 

Metro Inc. reported a sales increase of 3.4 per cent for its fourth quarter, which is less than the rate of food price inflation tracked by Statistics 
Canada.

Net earnings slipped from $219 million from $217 million, but that was impacted by a $22.5 million loss when its frozen foods distribution centre for Ontario failed and was shut down for two months for repairs. 

There was loss of some frozen products.

As with Loblaws which reported its earnings a few days earlier, it was Metro’s discount stores – Food Basics and Super C – that had the best sales performance.

Growing Chefs! Ontario wins top prize

Growing Chefs! Ontario has won the top prize in the annual Excellence in Agriculture Awards competition organized by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

In addition to the Minister’s Award, it won in the Education Excellence category as did Hilmanor Holsteins of Perth County,

Growing Chefs! Ontario is in Middlesex County and is a registered charity advancing food literacy by connecting chefs, growers, educators, and community members through hands-on food education projects. 

Its school programming has reached more than 5,000 students and contributed to provincial curriculum development. 

It supports food access through community gardens, nutrition programs and food box distribution, while fostering partnerships that strengthen local food systems across Ontario.

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers marketing board was the winner in the Promotional Excellence Category.

Haven Greens of York Region and Vineland Research of Niagara Region won for research and innovation.

BMKC Canada Inc. of Bruce County won for food processing excellence.

Stone Bridge Flour of Ripley in Bruce County won the award for supply chain excellence.

Alexiou Farms of Simcoe County won the Indigenous, Metis of Inuit-owned Business or Community Excellence award.

Alexiou Farms, owned and operated by first-generation potato grower John Alexiou, integrates knowledge on Indigenous agriculture principles including crop rotation and soil stewardship to provide fresh potatoes to local consumers and regularly donates to food banks and churches. Through social media, John shares the process of potato production, providing education and awareness of the Ontario agri-food sector.

The Fifty Acre Garden of Coldwater in Simcoe County won the Farm Family Excellence award, Canadian Women in Food of Toronto won the Women’s Excellence award and Konrad Borowski of Beeton in Waterloo Region the Youth Excellence award  He is 23 and founded Beekon which uses technology to address pollinator health.

Beekon’s recyclable, buoyant beehives adapt to flooding and support pollination in wetlands and has a pilot project underway in Malawi, Africa.

Northern Wildflowers of Lively in the Greater Sudbury municipality the Northern Business Excellence Award.

                           

Chicken producers reduce carbon emissions

 

Canada’s chicken farmers have reduced carbon remissions by six per cent per kilogram over the seven years from 2016 top 2023, according to an audit performed by Groupe AGÉCO.

There was also a six per cent improvement in feed conversion and the carbon footprint related to feed declined by 10 per cent.

Water consumption held steady.

Tom Klompmaker, president of the Chicken Farmers of Canada national supply management agency, said he is proud of producers.

The report also said many chicken farmers are planning investments over the next five years which will further reduce the industry’s carbon footprint through improved ventilation, enhanced insulation and smart barn technologies.

Some U.S. packers stop buying Canadian hogs

 

Some United States packers west of the Great Lakes have stopped buying Canadian hogs because voluntary country of origin labeling comes into effect Jan. 1.

It's having a big impact on Manitoba hog producers, according to Lorne Voth, president of ProLine Pork Marketing.

The new labeling rules will restrict companies from adding “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” labels to meat, poultry and egg products unless they come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.

That means the rules impact both market-ready Canadian hogs and weaners.

Last year Canada exported 6.8 million hogs valued at $779 million to the United States.

Voth said packers in the Eastern U.S. are happy to buy Canadian hogs to fill their shackle space.

Another Enoki mushroom recall

 

 

Baekdu Peak brand Enoki mushrooms are under recall.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it found Listeria monocytogenes food-poisoning bacteria in the mushrooms.

No illnesses have been linked to these mushrooms.

There have been more than a dozen recalls of Enoki mushrooms this year.

Wellington County farmers offered grants

 

Wellington County is once again offering farmers grants of up to $3,000 to try things that improve regenerative agriculture practices.

The program, which began in 2022, has three categories: crops and planting, animals and grazing and innovation.

They money can be used for soil analysis, staff guidance, peer networking, and community events.

The application deadline is Jan. 16.

Food inflation remains high

 

Food bought in supermarkets cost 3.4 per cent more this October than last year, but that’s better than the four per cent increase in September.

For the ninth month in a row, food prices rose faster than the overall inflation rate which was 2.2 per cent for October.

Statistics Canada said chicken prices were 6.2 per cent higher this October, processed food prices were up by 3.2 per cent but fresh vegetables down by 1.4 per cent.

Flu blamed for turkey price hike

 

The United States Department of Agriculture is blaming highly-pathogenic avian influenza for a 40 per cent price increase in turkey meat.

Its Economic Research Service estimates that 3.8 turkeys died or were euthanized between November 2024 and February 2025. The figures did not include the nearly 400,000 turkeys affected by HPAI infections this September.

The government report said wholesale frozen turkeys will cost about $1.31 per pound this year, up from 94 cents per pound a year ago.

The wholesale price increases so far have yet to affect frozen turkey supplies at retail, with turkey processors predicting that there should not be a shortage of birds for holiday dinners this year despite the wholesale price rise, it said. 

However, smaller meat markets are reporting steep hikes in wholesale turkey prices they pay, although some larger retailers expect shoppers to continue the nearly relatively standard practice of shoppers looking for alternative food options in other grocery store aisles before Thanksgiving Day.

Sylvain Charlebois of Dalhousie University wrote in a column that Canadian chicken prices are likely to increase next year because the Chicken Farmers of Canada supply management agency failed to respond fast enough to increase production to meet increasing demand, because import quotas were filled well before the end of the year and storage reserves have diminished.

He also blamed the federal government for failing to allow processors to import more chicken. It allowed only 10 per cent of the volume they requested.

In its most recent report to the federal government, the national agency said production fell short of is target this fall and “ongoing avian

influenza-related chick shortages and quality issues” may result in more shortfalls in production. 

It said that for the first time in years, tariff-rate import quotas have been filled and supplementary import permits have been granted.

It expressed no conerns about retail shortages leading to big price increases next year. 

Thunder Bay pig trucker loses appeal

Steve’s Livestock Transport (Blumenort) Ltd. has lost its appeal of a $13,000 fine for transporting pigs that were in distress.

Emily Crocco, chair of the Canada Agriculture Appeal Tribunal, accepted the testimony of the truck driver that the pigs were roughly handled by farm staff and were panting and in distress when loaded for a trip to a packing plant in Manitoba.

The 301 pigs were crowded in the truck and lacked ventilation. Some were chronically ill.

The weather was 23.7 degrees, beyond the threshold of 21 when loads ought to be reduced by 10 per cent, according to Ontario Pork guidelines.

Crocco dismissed the testimony of hog owner Jim DeBrouwer, who testified that he did not recall anything out of the

ordinary with the pigs. 

“That said, Mr. DeBrouwer was not present at the barn during

loading, so I do not put any weight on his testimony about this issue,” she wrote.

The pigs were on the trailer for 30 hours without feed, water, or rest, from the time they were loaded in Eatonville until they were offloaded at the rest station in Thunder Bay. Nineteen were dead.

The transportation of the surviving 169 pigs carried on toward Manitoba. and the trailer was no longer overloaded and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian in Manitoba said they were okay.

The tribunal report said the company had three serious violations in the five preceding years and that was a factor in leaving the penalty the CFIA imposed at $13,000.

Avian flu outbreak near Strathroy

 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in a poultry farm near Sarnia.

A quarantine zone has been established around the farm in the municipality of Caradoc-Strathroy.

It is the second case in Ontario since spring. There have been dozens in British Columbia and Alberta.

Infant formula on recall

 

ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula is under recall.

The Canadian Food Inspection said it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

This baby formula is imported from Pennsylvania.

The United States Food and Drug Administration is dealing with reports of 23 infants sickened in 13 states. None have died.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said there have been no Canadian reports of infants sickened by the bacteria.

Prices for infant formula have soared in Canada in the face of shortages. Some mothers say they can’t afford the prices, reported the CBC.

Two appointments posted

 

Barry Raison, a reporter, editor and public safety and justice issues policy advocate has been appointed to a two-year term on the Animal Care Review Board. He has also served as a member of the Ontario Parole Board since 2020.

Debra Beckstein, a litigation lawyer in Toronto for 20 years has also been appointed to a two-year term.

The board hears appeals from those whose animals have been seized or have been fined by officials enforcing the Animal Welfare Services Act.

Five rabid bats in Ontario

 

There were five rabid bats in Ontario during October, reported the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

That brought this year’s total to 105 rabid bats in the province. Quebec was second at 94 and 76 of those were raccoons.

 The total of all rabies cases in all species in Canada reached 257 by then end of October.

                           

 

 

 

Producer egg prices increase

 

 

Egg producers are getting 9.9 cents more per dozen because the national agency has reduced levies.

The decrease is due to a number of changes in levies for different purposes. It has just received approval from the National Products Council.

The national agency is also increasing production because the cost of imports from the United States has risen, costing the agency about $200 million so far this year. The imports were necessary to meet Canadian demand, which the agency is obligated to fill.

The production increases are balanced by a temporary increase last year when U.S. egg prices soared after millions of birds were euthanized to prevent the spread of highly-pathogenic avian influenza.

The national agency has also lowered the price of eggs dedicated for industrial processing by 25 cents per dozen to $1.21.

The result of the changes is an Ontario egg levy of 44.55 cents per dozen.