As Canada’s on-farm plastic recycling program celebrates 30 years of turning old jugs into new opportunities, the organization behind it has set a new challenge for the agriculture industry. Cleanfarms is calling on farmers to make 2019 the year that every on-farm plastic jug is recycled.

Last week’s provincial budget announcement provided Ontarians plenty of material to sift through. From budget cuts to investment promises, the government appeared to include something for everyone in the 343-page document.

Changes are coming to animal care enforcement in Ontario. Earlier this year, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) announced they would not sign a new contract for their services with the Ontario government.

Explaining Ontario’s property tax system and how farmland taxes are calculated is a complicated issue. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been meeting with municipalities across the province to talk about the property tax system and asking municipal councils to reduce the farmland tax ratio. We’re making some head way, but it’s been a frustrating process.

A new federal fuel surcharge comes into effect on April 1, 2019. Farmers in Ontario are eligible for an exemption on fuels used for farming practices, but the details have created some confusion among Ontario’s agriculture industry. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is working to clarify the details around how farmers can qualify for the exemption.

There’s something in this year’s federal budget for everyone, at least that’s the government’s intent ahead of a federal election this year. The good news for Canadian agriculture is the emphasis on food, developing a food policy and new school food programs.

In a few short weeks, a new federal fuel surcharge comes into effect in Ontario. It’s part of the federal carbon pollution pricing system and there are implications for Ontario farmers. The new fuel surcharge in Ontario will be added to fuel used for air, marine, rail and road use.

If you’re happy and you know it, chances are you’re living in a rural community. That’s a new fact, according to researchers at McGill University in Montreal and the Vancouver School of Economics, who evaluated the happiness levels of residents across Canada.

The Endangered Species Act, 2007 was designed to identify species at risk, protect their habitats and promote stewardship practices that will help protect these plant and animal species. Ontario agriculture is no stranger to this legislation as many habitats of endangered, threatened or species of special concern are found on or around farmland.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is a strong advocate for eliminating unnecessary red tape and regulatory burden for Ontario’s agricultural community. As the provincial government looks to reduce red tape under its open-for-business bylaws, including the proposed Bill 66 Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018, OFA will always advocate to ensure the concerns of Ontario agriculture are heard and considered.