From the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture:

CFIA released the regulations for the Safe Food for Canadians Act Wednesday, June 13, 2018. This has been an important advocacy piece for the Federation since the Act received Royal Assent in 2012.

Upon early review of the regulations, NSFA is pleased to read that many farms with a gross farm income under $100,000 will not be required to have a written preventive control plan (PCP). While the Federation does not dispute the need for tractability and assurance of safe food, the cost prohibitive written PCP would have potentially put farms, particularly those that sell direct to market across provincial boarders, out of business if required to comply. During the consultative process, NSFA lobbied Health Canada, CFIA and AAFC to raise the proposed $30,000 threshold or create an exception for farms selling direct to market.

Farms not exempt from this exception include meat destined for export or interprovincial trade, prepared meat products, dairy products, fish, eggs, processed egg products, or processed fruits and vegetables, or if an export certificate is requested.

The regulations will be phased in and will come into effect on January 15, 2019. Further review of the regulations is underway and highlights will be communicated in the future.

Safe Food for Canadians – Regulations

Safe Food for Canadians – Tools & Timetables

Don’t forget to register for these SPANS Summer Workshops before you miss out!

PLUS don’t forget about these other sheep events this summer:
July 4-6, 2018 Wool Handling & Evaluation Course (registration through SPANS)
July 5-7, 2018 All Canada Sheep Classic, including a Fleece Competition

Second Harvest & Value Chain Management International (VCMI) are researching food loss & waste (FLW) in Canada’s farming, food & beverage industries.

The purpose of their study is to establish a framework and metrics that businesses operating in the farming, processing, retail and foodservice sectors can use to understand:
1) where losses are likely to occur, and
2) identify ways to improve their performance and profitability by reducing losses and waste.

Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey prior to June 15th.

Calling all Shepherds and Fibre Artisans! Here is a Wool Handling & Evaluation Course just for you!

The CLTS MOBO App allows you to enter birth dates, animal movement and retired events by simply using your phone!

“Farmers can focus on preventative health rather than reactive health” said Dr. Jessica Law, DVM.

She added that producers can look at “where they are using antibiotics and what problems (they) have experienced in the past.”

For the full article click here.

Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Open Farm Day!

Forms can be found on the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture website.

The 2018 Environmental Stewardship Award is Open for Applications!

Do you know of a farm that has undertaken projects to protect soil, water or wildlife habitat? Nominate them for Nova Scotia’s Farm Environmental Stewardship Award! To be eligible for the award, a farm must:

– Have a current Environmental Farm Plan
– Have a current farm registration
– Be a member of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

Deadline for submissions is August 6th, 2018.

For more information, please visit: http://www.nsfa-fane.ca/efp/news/2018-environmental-stewardship-award-open-for-applications/

Grow Nova Scotia is holding meetings in both Berwick and Falmouth to discuss the importance of increasing local food in schools.

Contact Shelly at 902-774-0528 or shelly@agri-futures.ns.ca for more information.

Grow Nova Scotia – Berwick Meeting Info

Grow Nova Scotia – Falmouth Meeting Info