By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday March 25, 2021

Mar 25, 2021 | 9:52 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is opposed to the creation of a Canada Water Agency (CWA).

SARM is concerned with how the federal regulations may impact provincial rules.

President Ray Orb said the province already has water management governance through the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA).

“We believe that the federal funding earmarked for the CWA would be better invested into existing provincial water agencies like the WSA to support and enhance their efforts,” Orb said.

CWA is considering establishing its offices in Regina. Orb said while there would be an economic benefit for the city and surrounding area, SARM would not support a bid for a head office of an agency they are not in favour of.

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Orb said an increased level of bureaucracy will only increase the costs and length of approval processes for municipal construction and maintenance projects involving water or near water.

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The federal government will provide funds to a project that would enhance agricultural critical infrastructure.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness minister Bill Blair announced over $500,000 over four years to the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance for their Cyber Security Capacity in Canadian Agriculture project.

Blair said the agriculture sector relies on technology and systems for essential services. As a result, there is a constant need for innovation and vigilance in cybersecurity.

There would be an assessment of the cybersecurity capacity of the Canadian agricultural sector while working with farm operators and other stakeholders to promote awareness and develop resources related to cybersecurity of farming operations.

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Canadian agri-food exporters (CAFTA) are urging Canadian and European leaders to implement a new trade deal based on science.

CAFTA released a statement saying commitments made at the time of the signing of the agreement need to be respected to ensure science and agreed upon rules are the focus when resolving ongoing issues of importance to the Canada-EU trade (CETA) relationship.

CAFTA also stated after three and a half years of provisional implementation, they are concerned agrifood sectors are unable to tap into opportunities due to non-tariff barriers that continue to block market access.

The statement also urged countries to respect longstanding trade rules. CAFTA said Italy’s Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) punishment of Canadian exports runs counter to CETA, yet nothing has been done to resolve this trade violation.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW