By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday June 18, 2020

Jun 18, 2020 | 10:04 AM

Native prairie is an important part of the Saskatchewan landscape. This is Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) manager Carolyn Gaudet said native prairie sequesters carbon, filters water, provides habitat for many species including species at risk and provides a livelihood for ranchers.

She said grazing of the native prairie allows for biodiversity and provides a good mix of cover for various wildlife.

SK PCAP manages programming and educational events in the province and is holding several free webinars this week.

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Court

Cries of racism fill courtroom as judge stays impaired driving charge in Saskatoon

5m ago

Community support

The Hunger Games return to Prince Albert

2h ago

Raiders win 5-3

Defensive scoring leads Raiders over Wheat Kings

10h ago

The government of Mexico will not send any more temporary foreign workers to Canada until it has more clarity on why two workers died due to COVID-19.

The Mexican ambassador to Canada said his government wants to know more about the circumstances around the death of the two men and what is being done to prevent similar tragic outcomes.

Juan Jose Gomez Camacho said roughly 5,000 temporary foreign workers expected to arrive in Canada in the coming months are being held back, for now.

He said an estimated 300 Mexicans working in Canada are currently infected with COVID-19.

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Ontario has passed legislation it says will protect farmers from animal rights activists who trespass on their property.

The legislation increased fines for trespassing on farms and food-processing facilities and makes it illegal to obstruct trucks carrying farm animals.

Under the law, fines for trespassing will be set at a maximum of $15,000 for a first offence, compared to the previous maximum trespassing fines of $10,000.

Ontario’s agriculture minister has said the bill will help ensure the security of the province’s food supply while also striking a balance that ensures the right to protest.

The bill has been applauded by farmers but criticized by animal rights activists who say it targets them.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF