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Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Local Food Claims
In the coming weeks, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will undertake an initiative to modernize its food labelling approach. The CFIA — with input from consumers, industry and other stakeholders — will conduct a review of food labelling regulations, guidelines and policies including claims such as use of the term "local".
In the interim, the CFIA is adopting an interim policy which recognizes "local" as:
- food produced in the province or territory in which it is sold, or
- food sold across provincial borders within 50 km of the originating province or territory
More information
Action Alert– Public Input on Regulations Amending the Seeds Regulations
Canada Gazette Part 1 VOL. 147, NO. 10 — MARCH 9, 2013
The National Farmers Union is calling upon all concerned farmers and allies to submit comments about significant regulatory changes to Seed Variety Registration. The proposed regulatory change has been posted in the Canada Gazette Part 1 and will be passed into law as is unless large numbers of citizens make their opposition known.
Regulations Amending the Seeds Regulations
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Canada Organic Trade Association's Organic Market Research Project - Phase 1
This is the first data on the organic market since the Canadian government regulated the sector in 2009 and combines consumer research with the most recent market sales data. The findings offer valuable insights into market size, growth trends and Canadian consumer receptivity.
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Career Focus Program
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
The Career Focus Program will contribute $864,000 annually to projects that employ recent graduates in agriculture, agri-food, agri-food science and veterinary medicine. Each approved project will be eligible to receive 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching funds. Applications are processed through rounds and on a first come, first served basis pending availability of funds.
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Canada Farm Business Management Council Agriwebinars™
Webinars are a web-based conference bringing the expertise of today's agricultural leaders that will inform and inspire you from the comfort of your home or office. No travel, no cost, no reason to miss out! Agriwebinar™ is free and anyone can participate as long as they have a computer and an Internet connection. Even computers connected by a dial-up service can participate.
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Canadian Agricultural Loans Act (CALA) Program
A financial loan guarantee program that gives farmers easier access to credit. Farmers can use these loans to establish, improve, and develop farms; while Agricultural co-operatives may also access loans to process, distribute, or market the products of farming. The CALA program builds on and replaces the previous Farm Improvement and Marketing Co-operative Loans Act (FIMCLA) program, which has helped farming operations grow their businesses by guaranteeing loans issued through financial institutions since 1988.
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Scholarships for Organic Inspector Training
The Independent Organic Inspectors Association accepts applications for the annual Andrew Rutherford Scholarship Award, which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored organic inspector training course during the following year. Both prospective and experienced inspectors are eligible to apply for the Rutherford Scholarship. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and potential as judged by the IOIA Scholarship Committee. Applicants can choose to attend any IOIA-sponsored training. The Scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses. The late Andrew Rutherford was a farmer, organic inspector, and organic agriculture researcher from southern Saskatchewan. He served on IOIA's initial steering committee and then several years as a Founding Board Member.
IOIA also offers an annual Organic Community Initiative Scholarship (OCIS), which provides full tuition for an IOIA-sponsored basic organic inspector training during the following year. It is awarded to an individual on the basis of need and their potential to have a positive impact on their regional organic community. The Organic Community Initiative Scholarship is only open to applicants from outside of the US or Canada. Applicants can choose to attend any basic IOIA-sponsored training. The scholarship pays for tuition, room and board but does not cover transportation or other expenses.
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Pertinent Federal (Canadian) & Provincial (BC) Regulations
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