20141016

Page 1

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014

VOL. 92 | NO. 42 | $4.25

LANDS OH RANCH | PROTECTED PROMOTE CONSERVATION P88

SERVING WESTERN CANADIAN FARM FAMILIES SINCE 1923

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WWW.PRODUCER.COM

PICKING IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Maple Leaf criticizes TFWP reforms

Are farmer seed rights still safe?

Government turns down processor’s application BY ROBERT ARNASON BRANDON BUREAU

Agricultural Growth Act | Omnibus bill sparks debate over rights to saved seed

Maple Leaf Foods says the federal government denied an application in June to hire 75 foreign workers for its Brandon hog processing plant. The decision, combined with restrictive changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, has created a human resources situation that is not “sustainable” for Maple Leaf, says Rory McAlpine, the company’s vicepresident of government relations. “For the first time, back in June, a labour market opinion for 75 meat cutters for the plant was refused,” he said. “We think that decision was wrong.” McAlpine said the government denied the application because the company didn’t promote the job openings domestically. “There were a few very technical issues that they pointed to … that we hadn’t done enough to advertise the opportunities across Canada,” he said.

BY BRIAN CROSS SASKATOON NEWSROOM

A controversial bill aimed at modernizing Canada’s plant breeders’ rights legislation won’t affect a farmer’s rights to save and replant the seed that he harvests. That message, delivered repeatedly by the supporters of the Agricultural Growth Act, was repeated last week by federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. Under Bill C-18, “the farmer’s right to save seed for future planting is protected and includes storage and/or cleaning of the seed,” Ritz told members of the House of Commons agriculture committee Oct. 9. “A farmer does not need to seek permission from the rights holder to store farm-saved seed for replanting in future years. Let me repeat that. A farmer does not need to seek permission.” The Agricultural Growth Act is an omnibus bill that deals with many farm sector issues. Key provisions would update Canada’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Act and bring it into line with an international seed convention known as UPOV 91. However, farm organizations that oppose the bill say UPOV 91 and the Agricultural Growth Act are an attempt by seed development companies to tighten their grip on Canada’s seed supply and limit farmers’ ability to store, condition and replant farm-saved seed. UP OV 91 is a f ra me w ork d e si g n e d to improve intellectual property protections for organizations that develop and market new seed varieties. SEE ARE FARM RIGHTS SAFE, PAGE 2

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SEE MAPLE LEAF, PAGE 3

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u|xhHEEJBy00001pzYv/:# OCTOBER 16, 2014 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Box 2500, Stn. Main, Saskatoon, SK. S7K 2C4

Lisa Taylor, research technician in the department of plant sciences at the University of Saskatchewan, picks pumpkins in the research garden Sept. 22. | WILLIAM DEKAY PHOTO

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OCTOBER

PROCESSING | WORK FORCE

THE TIME IS

NOW

YOUR MISSION IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. To date we have received over $45 million of non-binding commitments from farmers who want to participate in this opportunity to build a grain handling and fertilizer distribution company. It is now time to make a full commitment. We have released our offering memorandum outlining the details of this opportunity, but we need your commitment. Go online or call us to participate. The first closing of this offering is currently scheduled to take place on October 20, 2014.

FNA.CA/GRAIN or 1-877-362-3276 See page 79 for more. Participation is limited to accredited investors or those who are otherwise exempt. You do not need to be an FNA Member to participate.

The Western Producer is published in Saskatoon by Western Producer Publications, which is owned by GVIC Communications Corp. Publisher: Shaun Jessome Publications Mail Agreement No. 40069240

FARM POLICY | BILL C-18


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20141016 by The Western Producer - Issuu