After a federal decision to halt the proposed increases to herbicide MRLs, CAAR gets to work to renew its efforts to ensure the ag retail industry has its say.

On November 11, 2021, Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture wrapped up their annual conference by issuing a shared vision via the so-called “Guelph Statement”.

Synthesis Agri-Food Network began an extensive consultation process starting in November 2020, and wrapping up March 2021, to obtain feedback on the Responsible Grain draft Code of Practice.

Over 850 individuals registered to participate with over 92% of these being farmers, mostly from Western Canada. All participants were provided access to an online survey where they could review and comment on the Code practices in detail.

CAAR participated in Manitoba’s Pre-FPT Agriculture and Food Industry Meeting in June in preparation for the July 2021 Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meeting. FPT agriculture Ministers will be meeting again in September. 

Fertilizer Canada’s Anhydrous Ammonia Code of Practice has already been updated for January 2022 and is now available for download. The Ammonia Code provides uniform safety and security practices for the safe handling and storage of anhydrous ammonia at ag-retail facilities across Canada.

As an independent retailer, TerraLink regularly looks for information on what is happening at the regulatory and industry levels. Located in the Lower Mainland of BC, we are distant from the mainstream ag-focused provinces, and in south coastal BC, there are only a few key dealers who keenly compete against each other, so we are on our own.

The Agrichemical Warehouse Standards Association (AWSA) has released a Revised COVID-19 Auditing Policy. Effective August 1, 2021 audits can be completed either virtually or in-person.

As you are all aware, the federal general election will be held on September 20th. This means we are now in a writ period which impacts Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) capacity to engage with stakeholders.

Membership with CAAR enables you to focus your attention on your business; trusting CAAR to share the regulatory, compliance and advocacy information you need to know when you need to know it.