QSA's Week in Agri (#10, 2025)
Investment in farm safety; Potato Wart Response Plan; PEI tariff support; Agri-food innovation funding; Amendments to CFIA regulations.

Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, fertilizers, ranchers, cattlemen and cattlewomen, and their upstream suppliers and downstream .buyers.
Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.
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Start Date: 2025-03-09
End Date: 2025-03-15
Top Headlines
Main Stories
Investment to Support Farm Safety
On March 13, 2025, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced a $1.6 million investment over three years to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) under the AgriCompetitiveness Program. This funding aims to enhance farm safety through training programs and awareness campaigns, targeting both physical and mental health safety in the agricultural sector.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
New National Potato Wart Response Plan
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) launched a new Potato Wart Response Plan on March 13, 2025, for the 2025 crop. This plan replaces the 2009 management strategy, introducing measures like preventive control plans and stricter soil sampling to contain and prevent the spread of potato wart, especially in Prince Edward Island.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
PEI Agriculture Tariff Support
In response to tariff threats, the federal and Prince Edward Island governments are reallocating funds to assist local agriculture through programs like the Product and Market Development Program. These initiatives aim to help PEI farmers find new markets and encourage innovation.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Funding for Agri-food Innovation
FedNor announced an investment of $386,174 to support Collège Boréal's initiatives in Northern Ontario. This funding aims to promote sustainability and innovation in the agri-food industry, supporting new business development and maintaining key skilled positions.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Amendments to CFIA Regulations
The Canada Gazette published amendments to CFIA regulations on March 12, 2025, providing clarity on export conditions for live animals and adjustments to tagging requirements. These changes aim to align existing practices with regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance and clarity in animal transport and tagging.
Sources: Canada Gazette, Part II: www.gazette.gc.ca
Important Updates
Secondary Stories
Canada's Response to China's Tariffs
Ministers Ng, MacAulay, and Lebouthillier issued a statement on March 9, 2025, opposing China's tariffs on Canadian agricultural products, including canola and pork, effective March 20. They emphasized Canada's commitment to fair trade.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Principal Field Crop Areas 2025
Statistics Canada reported an expected increase in wheat, corn, oats, and dry peas planting in 2025, with decreases in canola, soybeans, barley, and lentils.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
Crushing Statistics of Major Oilseeds
Canadian oilseed processors crushed a record 11.4 million tonnes of canola in 2024, an 8.1% increase from 2023, marking consecutive record years.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
Farm Product Prices January 2025
January 2025 prices for grains, oilseeds, specialty crops, cattle, hogs, poultry, eggs, and dairy are now available, reflecting provincial data.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca
CPTPP: Yogurt and Buttermilk TRQ
Global Affairs Canada updated data on yogurt and buttermilk tariff rate quotas under the CPTPP agreement as of March 14, 2025.
Sources: Open Government Data Set: open.canada.ca
Canada's Food Innovation Networks
Five Strategic Innovation Fund networks, including the Canadian Food Innovation Network, received additional funding to boost productivity in food processing and production technologies.
Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca
Provincial Announcements
Agricultural Health and Safety Week in Quebec
Quebec's CNESST is raising awareness about pesticide risks during Agricultural Health and Safety Week from March 16 to 22, 2025.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca
Spaghetti Sauce Safety Warning
The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture warns against consuming Cuisine du Domaine's spaghetti sauce due to potential Clostridium botulinum contamination.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca
Undeclared Wheat in Quebec Products
The Ministry of Agriculture issued a warning about undeclared wheat in products from Marché oriental Jang Teu, posing risks to those with allergies.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca
Alberta Land Conservation Initiative
Alberta announced $5 million in grants to protect 21,000 acres of land, supporting environmental stewardship while maintaining agricultural productivity.
Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca
Public Officials' Social Media
Christine Normandin on Supply Management
MP Christine Normandin emphasized the benefits of supply management for local agriculture, advocating for its protection in her recent tweet.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Tim Louis Proposes Food Sovereignty Bill
MP Tim Louis announced his intention to introduce the Local Affordable Food Act, aimed at strengthening Canada's food supply and supporting local farmers.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Yves-François Blanchet on Quebec Agriculture
MP Yves-François Blanchet tweeted about the importance of protecting Quebec's agricultural sectors, including eggs and dairy, under supply management.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
John Barlow Advocates for Farmers
MP John Barlow highlighted the Conservative commitment to supporting Canadian farmers, emphasizing agriculture's role in the nation's future.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Ryan Williams on Agricultural Sustainability
MP Ryan Williams discussed the need for competitive agricultural practices to ensure sustainability in a tweet, supporting industry innovations.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Tim Louis on Farmland Protection
MP Tim Louis discussed his Canada Farmland Protection Act, aimed at supporting Canadian farmers in maintaining high-quality food production.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Terry Beech on BC Agriculture
MP Terry Beech tweeted about the economic benefits of local agricultural products in BC, emphasizing job creation and community support.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Lianne Rood Supports PEI Potato Industry
MP Lianne Rood expressed support for the PEI potato industry, affirming the Conservative stance on backing Canadian farmers.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
Ryan Williams Criticizes Carbon Tax
MP Ryan Williams criticized the carbon tax, arguing it increases costs for farmers without reducing emissions effectively.
Sources: Social Media: x.com
What We're Reading This Week
- The Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine: Coverage of new health-focused agri-food research in Winnipeg.
- Pure Hedge - Livestock and Grain: Insights into livestock and grain market hedging strategies.
- AgriFORCE Growing Systems: Announcement of key developments in AgriFORCE's clean solutions division.
- China's Canola Tariffs: Analysis of the impact of Chinese retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola farmers.
- New Potato Wart Response Plan: Overview of Canada's new plan to address potato wart issues.