Policies
Farm Safety
Agriculture Minister, AgCoalition agree to work together on safety
February 25, 2016
The newly-established Alberta Agricultural Farm and Ranch Safety Coalition and the Government of Alberta would like to take this opportunity to provide the following update:... Read More
Alberta’s crop commissions urge farmers, ranchers and farm workers to participate in online survey to garner Bill 6 feedback
January 15, 2016
Alberta’s crop commissions, consisting of elected farmer representatives, are urging farmers, ranchers and farm workers to complete a survey designed to garner feedback on the regulations relating to Bill 6.... Read More
Bill 6 update for Alberta’s barley farmers
January 8, 2016
Alberta Barley is very disappointed that the Government of Alberta chose to force the passage of the amended Bill 6 through the legislature on December 10, 2015. The voice of farmers was consistent regarding the lack of consultation and especially the lack of clarity about how the Bill would impact farmers and ranchers across the province. Alberta Barley joined with other ag boards and commissions, as well as farmers and ranchers, to request that the Provincial Government delay Bill 6 until there was appropriate discussion and consultation with the farm community.... Read More
Crop commissions’ response to Bill 6
January 7, 2016
Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) are committed to ensuring their farmer members are represented in local, national and international matters that impact their livelihood. Recently, the Government of Alberta announced Bill 6: The Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act.... Read More
Alberta Crop Commissions continue to press for farmer and industry consultation in the wake of Bill 6 passing
December 10, 2015
The Alberta government today passed Bill 6, the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act, despite requests from farmers and industry to delay the legislation and allow for proper consultation.... Read More
An Open letter to the Honourable R. Notley and Members of the Cabinet
December 4, 2015
The undersigned organizations representing the majority of Alberta’s agriculture sector would like to call upon the Government of Alberta to consider farmers and ranchers concerns and suspend the implementation of the Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act (Bill 6), and conduct proper and meaningful consultations with farmers and agriculture organizations.... Read More
Alberta crop commissions urge government to seek real consultation and for farmers to speak out on Bill 6
November 30, 2015
As the future of farm safety policy takes shape, Alberta’s crop commissions, comprised of elected farmer representatives, are urging their members to be active and speak out about the new farm safety and labour legislation, Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act (Bill 6). The commissions also call on the Government of Alberta to consider farmers’ concerns and delay the implementation of this legislation in order to extend the consultation process.... Read More
Alberta Barley invites Government of Alberta to work with farmers on safety legislation
November 17, 2015
On news that the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour has removed the agriculture exemption from The Occupational Health and Safety Act, and has introduced new legislation regarding Employment Standards, Labour Relations, and Workers Compensation, Alberta Barley is hopeful that the province’s crop commissions will be provided the opportunity to contribute to the process as specific regulatory standards are developed.... Read More
Alberta farmers ready to participate in occupational health and safety consultation
September 1, 2015
As the future of farm safety policy takes shape, Alberta’s crop commissions, comprised of elected farmer representatives, are ready and willing to contribute to the discussion. “Alberta’s crop commissions look forward to working with the Government of Alberta on this critical issue,” said Alberta Barley chairman Mike Ammeter. “Our farmers take the safety of our families and our workers very seriously and have much to contribute to this discussion.”... Read More
Markets
Potential Grain Delivery Contract Regulations
July 11, 2014
Alberta Barley supports the legislative changes that will empower the Canadian Grain Commission to act as arbitrator in any contractual disputes between grain producers and licensees. Alberta Barley continues to advocate for increased rail capacity required to effectively move grain. However, the inclusion of “inadequate rail service” of a means to excuse a licensee from their contractual obligations to a producer is unacceptable, as it provides licensees no incentive to ensure their commitments to producers are met.... Read More
Delivery of Export Grain Inspection and Quality Assurance Deduction Stakeholder Consultation
April 12, 2014
The Canadian Grain Commissions requested feedback from Alberta Barley on the proposed changes to outward inspection services and fees, as well as the proposed introduction of a Quality Insurance Deduction. Alberta Barley supported the creation of a funding model that is transparent and equitable, and that all costs associated with the endeavor are publicly funded.... Read More
Canadian Grain Commission’s Proposed Changes to Producer Payment Protection Regulations
November 15, 2013
Alberta Barley supports the Canadian Grain Commission’s effort to increase efficiency and transparency and reduce the costs associated with the current mode of producer payment protection by providing farmers with 95 percent payment security coverage. Alberta Barley encourages the CGC to maintain the 90 day claim coverage period time frame to provide producers with the extra coverage that is needed during busy seasons.... Read More
Research
Modernization of Plant Breeders’ Rights and Adoption of UPOV 91
December 6, 2013
Alberta Barley supports the modernization of Plant Breeders Rights legislation in Canada, and values the federal government’s commitments to ratify UPOV 91. Alberta Barley welcomes the opportunity to work with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to strengthen Canada’s competitive advantage in the global market place.... Read More
Trade
Alberta’s barley farmers welcome signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
February 4, 2016
On news that the Government of Canada has signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Alberta’s barley farmers welcome the development and urge the rapid implementation of this landmark deal. “The TPP will have a significant impact on beef and pork exports into Japan,” said Alberta Barley chairman Mike Ammeter. “This is a big win for Alberta barley as over 80 per cent of barley goes to feed production for livestock.”... Read More
Alberta Barley welcomes Prime Minister Trudeau and incoming cabinet
November 4, 2015
Alberta Barley would like to extend sincere congratulations to Prime Minister Trudeau, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and the rest of the cabinet following this morning’s swearing-in ceremony. “We have always had a productive relationship with the Government of Canada,” said Alberta Barley chairman Mike Ammeter. “I am eager to work with Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister MacAulay and rest of the government to ensure a profitable future for our barley industry.”... Read More
Alberta’s barley farmers applaud Trans-Pacific Partnership
October 5, 2015
On news that an agreement regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has been reached, Alberta’s barley farmers are poised to reap the benefits of this landmark deal. “The TPP will have a significant impact on the bottom line for Alberta’s barley farmers,” said Alberta Barley chairman Mike Ammeter. “It will provide unprecedented access to new and existing export markets for our world-class barley.”... Read More
CKFTA gives barley farmers a competitive boost
March 11, 2014
Alberta Barley is confident that the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) is a positive step towards a more secure agricultural future for barley farmers. “Canada needs this agreement to be competitive,” said Alberta Barley Chairman Matt Sawyer. “As the demand for our exports grow, so too does the profitability of our local farmers.”... Read More
Transportation
Extension of Bill C-30 Provisions is good news for Canada’s grain and oilseed farmers
April 25, 2016
lberta’s crop commissions are pleased to learn that the Federal Government has signaled its intension to extend measures within the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Actthat have helped improve railway accountability and competition. The postponement of the August 1, 2016 repeal of these measures aligns with recommendations made by Team Alberta during its outreach mission to Ottawa last week.... Read More
Alberta Barley ‘concerned’ over CTA review results
February 26, 2016
On news that The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, has tabled the Canada Transportation Act review report in Parliament, Alberta Barley’s board of directors have indicated their reservations regarding the recommendations made in the report.... Read More
Western barley farmers applaud enforced accountability for railways
September 18, 2014
Alberta Barley and the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SBDC) are pleased with the federal government’s move to ensure accountability on the railways. Yesterday it was reported that the government is fining Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) as a result of their failure to meet minimum grain shipping requirements.... Read More
Important information regarding grain contracts
August 11, 2014
In light of the recent announcement of accountable and enforceable Bill C-30 regulations, the following information is critical for farmers heading into the 2014 harvest season.... Read More
Federal government’s rail transportation measures a ‘positive step’
March 7, 2014
Alberta Barley is confident that today’s announcement by the federal government will begin to address the rail transportation issue in a tangible and practical way. “The measures enacted by the federal government are a positive first step,” said Alberta Barley Chairman Matt Sawyer. “With legislation in place, we finally have clear and achievable solutions to get our grain moving again.”... Read More
Rail strike would be ‘catastrophic’ for barley farmers
February 5, 2014
Alberta Barley is encouraging CN Rail and its employees to resolve their labour dispute immediately to avoid any further disruption in transportation services. “A strike now would be catastrophic to farmers across the Prairies,” said Alberta Barley Chairman Matt Sawyer. “The railways are already months behind in transporting last year’s record harvest. Any labour disruption would compound the problem.”... Read More
Anticipated CN Rail Strike
October 24, 2013
Alberta Barley urges the federal government to avert the negative impacts to the Canadian grain industry by ensuring there is no disruption in rail transportation services. Rail services are essential to the movement of Canadian goods and to the health of our national economy, and our farmers rely on the train system to maintain our reputation as a consistent and reliable supplier of quality Alberta barley.... Read More