Who’s Investigating the CAFO-Swine Flu Link?

Oc 29'09 - by Tom Philpott - Grist

6 months after the outbreak, is anyone?

Who Contaminated Canada's crops?

Martin Mittelstaedt, Globe and Mail-Wed. Oct. 28, 2009
Prairie whodunit has flax farmers baffled.

A prairie flax crop, itself contaminated with GM canola "weeds!"
What a tangled web have GMOs woven! l.p. photo

Climate Change Could Push up Insurance Premiums: Exec

Winnipeg Free Press - By: Andy Blatchford - 27/10/2009

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Harsh weather whipped up by climate change has caused insurance claims to...

Palestinians Denied Water - Amnesty Int'l.

Tu. Oc, 27, '09 by BBC News - Israel is denying Palestinians access to even the basic minimum of...

(REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)

Protesters Disrupt Question Period

October 26, 2009 - CBC News

A loud protest in the visitors gallery of the House of....
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"Those who make peaceful evolution impossible make violent revolution inevitable." JFK

Can Your Diet Make You Happy?

Eco Salon - Oct. 26th - '09

Farmers' Market - Regina SK. l.p. photo
Wanna be happy and kick Prozac to the curb? Start eating your...

Manitoba Pork Producers To Benefit From $70 Million More...

Editor's note: If this is "sustainable agriculture," what, pray tell, is not? l.p.

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Manitoba News Release
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October 26, 2009

In response to increased challenges facing Manitoba's pork industry, pork producers will now be able to access 75 per cent of their estimated 2009 AgriStability payment. This increase to the targeted advance payment will make an additional $70 million available in cash flow assistance to the industry.

"This Government is always willing to adjust programs to make sure they hit the farmgate and that's why we're announcing targeted advances to Manitoba pork producers," said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "We're working side-by-side with the Government of Manitoba to help pork producers weather the
current storm and get back to profitability."

"The challenges facing our pork producers have neither decreased nor stabilized since June when we announced TAP funding available to help support Manitoba's pork industry," said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk. "This additional funding will strengthen the current cash flow for producers as they persevere through this extended period of unprecedented market challenges."

Earlier this year eligible producer applications claimed approximately $22 million of the $31 million that was made
available to producers through TAP. With the new funding approximately 290 eligible producers in Manitoba will be
accessing an estimated total of $92 million ($22 M + $70 M). The average advance could now be in the range of $317,000.

The ministers noted this additional funding reflects the commitment made last June to adjust payment rates based on a producer's need for further advances and clearly demonstrates on-going support of an industry that is important to Manitoba and Canada.

Manitoba pork producers will soon be receiving a letter advising them of the advance they will be eligible to receive. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2010.

The AgriStability program is designed to help farmers deal with income reductions by providing assistance when their margins fall below average. The federal government pays 60 per cent of the
cost of the program and the provincial government pays 40 per cent.

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