The reaction of farmers across Canada sent a clear message. Farmers want to keep the right to save seed. The problem is the cost of breeding and innovation continues to climb, public investment in Agriculture Research across Canada is retracting rapidly. The new IPOV-19 agreement that Canada has signed on allows for some access and …
PMRA Response to 3-21 and 4-21 Requests for Strychnine Registration Extension in Alberta
The ASB Provincial Committee received a response from Peter Brandr, the Executive Director of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) this week in response to Resolution 3-21: An Effective Solution for Control of Richardson Ground Squirrels in Alberta and Resolution 4-21: Registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine. Peter reiterates the roll of PMRA to re evaluate …
Innovative Solution to AgPlastic Recycling
Orphan Wells and Weed Control
Who's in charge anyway? During the regular meeting of the ASBPC on January 14, the Committee was pleased to host a delegation from the Orphan Well Association (OWA) to discuss their Vegetation Management Policy Version 1.03. The Committee was joined by Lars De Pauw, the Executive Director with the Orphan Well Association, and Dave Marks …
Provincial ASB Conference 2021
The ASB Provincial Committee would like to commend the North East Region for the successful execution of the first ever virtual Provincial ASB Conference on January 21, 2021. Special thanks for the time and effort put into including the Ministers Forum attended by Minister Devin Dreeshen, Assistant Deputy Minister Tom Loo for Transportation, and Assistant Deputy Minister Ethan …
Endpoint Royalty Update
Two resolutions, on royalties on farm saved seed. E2-19 & 9-21 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada carried out consultations across Canada in 2018 on royalties and has yet to conclude which if any royalty collection system will be implemented. However they did open the door for industry lead initiatives. In February 2020 an industry lead seed …
Key Contact Program & Ag-Info Center Redesign
On January 14 a delegation consisting of Director Marcia Hewit Fisher and Executive Director Jake Kotowich from the Crop Health and Assurance Branch attended the regular ASBPC meeting to talk about the Key Contact program. The Key Contact program was started in 2009 when there was over 50 Agrologists and specialists within the Ministry to …
Continue reading "Key Contact Program & Ag-Info Center Redesign"
Impacts of Changes in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry on ASBs
Feedback submitted on behalf of the 69 ASBs The ASB Provincial Committee was pleased to meet with Minister Devin Dreeshen on November 23, 2020. During the meeting the Minister encouraged the Committee to email him any concrete examples of issues that have arisen from the changes in the ministry. After seeking feedback from the ASBs …
Continue reading "Impacts of Changes in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry on ASBs"
Public Lands Consultations Open to the Public
"Share your ideas to help shape the future of sustainable recreational Crown land use by January 15, 2021" On November 26, 2020 "Alberta's Crown land vision: our rich, natural heritage" was added to the Alberta.ca Open Government site. This 5 page document (with pictures) sets the stage for the public engagement that is currently underway. …
Continue reading "Public Lands Consultations Open to the Public"
NEW Civil Society Fund
One-time grant support for societies Yesterday the Alberta Government announced the Civil Societies Fund which "Organizations can apply for a one-time grant to support an effective and sustainable recovery of the civil society sector." The new fund has $20 million for expanding civil society capacity to address social problems, with $7 million earmarked for COVID-19 …
