Industry News

Feb. 5, 2010

Canadian Government Invests in Dairy Innovation

The Canadian government is driving innovation to help Canadian dairy producers make their herds more productive, products more nutritious, and their on-farm food safety systems stronger. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced on February 4 that Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) will receive up to $10 million from the Canadian government to fund these important initiatives.

The Canadian government will deliver more than $8.7 million and partner with industry and universities to create a cluster of scientific and technical expertise to study the health benefits of dairy products and ways to improve animal productivity through health and breeding.

The government is also investing up to $995,000 in DFC’s Canadian Quality Milk (CQM) food safety system, which helps producers proactively strengthen on-farm food systems. This funding will help the DFC develop a national database (National Electronic Administration System – NEAS) to track on-farm audits and manage the validation and registration processes for this system.

For more information click here

Jan. 29, 2010

Two Fall Incentive Quota Days Approved

The recommendation from the P3E (P3 East – Ontario, Quebec & Nova Scotia) Quota Committee on fall incentive days for 2010 was approved by the DFO Board. As a result, two quota incentive days will be made available on a non-cumulative basis, for the months of Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. This policy will also be implemented in Quebec and Nova Scotia, the current partners in the harmonized quota policy.

Jan. 22, 2010

Raw Milk Acquittal Means Increased Public Health Risks

Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is extremely concerned about the increased public health risks connected with the January 21, 2010 decision by Justice of the Peace Kowarsky to acquit Michael Schmidt on 19 charges of violation of Ontario’s public health laws.

DFO has expressed concern over the decision to the Ontario Attorney General's office, the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.

At this point, DFO expects the Ontario government will appeal the decision to a higher court, defend the legislation and take all steps necessary to protect the public by ensuring the safety of the food supply.

Provincial and national laws requiring milk pasteurization are vital to preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

At a time when all other public health developments are focusing on the critical task of continuing to improve food safety and public health, actions that put public health at increased risk are not in the public interest.

Jan. 20, 2010

Quota Transfer and Donation Policies To Be Reviewed

Effective January 14, 2010, until the relevant quota policies and administrative procedures are reviewed, DFO will not approve applications to donate or transfer quota other than transactions conducted over the quota exchange. Applications postmarked or received on January 14, 2010 or earlier will be processed under currently published policies.

This issue has been communicated in a letter to all producers - ENGLISH | FRENCH

Jan. 15, 2010

DFO Board Elects Executive

Bill Emmott was elected chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario, David Murray was elected 1st Vice-Chair and Ian Harrop was elected 2nd Vice-Chair at a DFO board meeting on January 14.

Bill Emmott served as chair in 2009 and prior to that was vice-chair from January 2005 to January 2009. He has been on the board since 1999. He represents dairy farmers in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Niagara, Norfolk and Wentworth counties.

David Murray has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Huron and Perth counties since 2006.

Ian Harrop has served as board member representing dairy farmers in Dufferin, Peel, Simcoe and Wellington counties since 2006.

Jan. 8, 2010

January Quota Exchange Volume Carried Forward to February Quota Exchange

Due to there being insufficient volume of quota being offered for sale this month, there was no quota issued to buyers other than 3 new entrants. DFO will hold 48.25 kg of quota and offer this for sale on the February 2010 quota exchange.

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