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Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday, May 9, 2023

May 9, 2023 | 12:52 PM

The BASF Safety Scouts program returns for its third year supporting families to engage children in learning about the value and importance of farm safety.

The initiative is providing refreshed content for younger participants, and new offerings for older children, as well as expanding into the United States.

The program has reached over 600 Canadian communities, with families from nine provinces registering for the kits.

This year, 2,000 kits will again be made available to farm families throughout Canada and 2,000 kits will be sent to the U.S., free of charge while supplies last.

To learn more about the BASF Safety Scouts program and register to receive a free kit, visit their website.

The federal government will expand a pilot project to attract more temporary foreign workers to jobs in Canada’s agricultural industry.

The government launched the program three years ago to offer temporary workers in the agriculture and food sector a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said the pilot experienced some challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the government wants more time to test it out.

He also said the family members of workers who make it into the program will be given open work permits so they can earn a living while they’re in Canada.

The agricultural sector is struggling with labour shortages, and the minister said if they’re not addressed it could hurt Canada’s food security.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW