The Produce Traceability Initiative is publishing four new or improved tools to support traceability implementation. 

The Pest Management Centre is in final stages of identifying 10 priority ‘A’ projects says executive director Dr. Marcos Alvarez. That’s a tough exercise to winnow from the current list of 47 projects, given the diversity of Canada’s horticultural industry.  

Increased on-farm testing for COVID-19 will continue in the communities of Kingsville and Leamington, where a significant percentage of cases are identified among seasonal workers in the greenhouse sector. The rest of Windsor-Essex can move to stage 2 re-opening of the economy on June 25.  

Not unexpectedly, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair has cancelled its annual event in Toronto, Ontario. This treasured annual tradition will be held November 5 to 14, 2021.

With dozens of Ontario agricultural events cancelled into the fall of 2020, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show launches a new digital event that will serve as a virtual meeting place for hundreds of agricultural companies and thousands of farmers.  

The Windsor-Essex region is the last in Ontario to move ahead to Stage 2 of the reopening of the economy. To meet the premier’s request of June 22, the greenhouse sector and community leaders are promoting a mix of on-farm and assessment center protocols to all farm workers.

CanadaGAP is now accepting nominations for candidates to serve on the Board of Directors for CanAgPlus for a two-year term. Deadline is August 31, 2020.

In a time when food supply is challenged, consumers want to know more about where their food comes from. Share the challenges and the victories, shares columnist Peter Chapman. 

Ultimately, we’re already on the right path with a science-based system that evaluates and minimizes risks of new technology while leveraging its benefits, writes columnist Chris Duyvelshoff. 

Columnist Owen Roberts asks several questions about how trade shows will adapt. There are many with a lot of suppliers and companies, but with fewer end users. Will they make a comeback after the pandemic? Will companies be as willing to buy a booth? Will people feel safe going there?