Latest news with #LanaPopham
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Cleanfarms Launches New Pilot Program to Help Fraser Valley Farmers Recycle Ag Plastics
Farmers Learning About Ag Plastic Compactors for Efficient Handling LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cleanfarms, in collaboration with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD), is launching a five-year pilot program (2025-2029) to support farmers in the Fraser Valley in recycling bale wrap and silage plastics. Financial support for this program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, under the Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change program. This pilot builds on experience from similar pilots in Northern BC and expands on the work of farmers in Agassiz who have been recycling plastics for several years, recently with expertise and logistical support from Cleanfarms and financial support from the Dairy Farmers of Canada. It aims to reduce ag plastic waste while improving on-farm recycling efficiency. Leveraging experience in preparation and collection of agricultural plastics for recycling, Cleanfarms is launching this pilot to develop sustainable long-term solutions relevant to BC agriculture. As BC's largest dairy region, the Fraser Valley pilot will provide valuable learnings to inform programming for farmers across the province. 'Our producers are always looking for ways to take better care of the land,' said the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. 'Programs like this will help farmers in the Fraser Valley make their operations more sustainable and protect their livelihoods and landscapes for generations to come. 'B.C. farmers know taking care of the land and environment is a key part of preserving our food security, and minimizing production waste and maximizing recycling helps everyone,' said Lana Popham, B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture and Food. 'This pilot program will help plastics used on-farm end up where they should, the recycling depot, and also help our farmers continue to put food on our tables through sustainable practices and food production.' 'The FVRD is proud to be involved in the new five-year pilot program of collecting and recycling used agricultural plastic,' said Patricia Ross, FVRD Board Chair. 'The collaboration with Cleanfarms is creating an opportunity with practical solutions to help farmers reduce their environmental footprint in the region,' she said. Cleanfarms will host a demonstration day in Agassiz on June 17th, 2025, where farmers can test different compactors and learn about how to participate in this pilot project. Farmers will store baled plastics on their farms, and drop-off events will be held twice per year. Additional details are available on our BC pilot webpage. 'Pilot projects like this allow us to test and refine programs, making it easier to establish permanent recycling solutions,' said Barry Friesen, Executive Director. Furthermore, farmers can recycle other ag plastics through Cleanfarms' existing collection programs for used ag plastic containers, totes, drums, and Unwanted Pesticides & Livestock Medications (UPLM) which has its next collection in BC's Peace Region in 2025. For more information on how to participate in this pilot, visit our BC Pilot webpage, or contact Carly Fraser at fraserc@ About Cleanfarms Cleanfarms is an agricultural industry stewardship organization that contributes to a healthier environment and a sustainable future by recovering and recycling agricultural and related industry plastics, packaging and products. It is funded by its members in the crop protection, seed, fertilizer, animal health medication, peat moss, animal bedding, feed, ag plastics, and maple tubing industries. Its team members are located in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes. About the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. Media ContactCatherine Lecomte, Media Relations and Digital Communications Coordinator | lecomtec@ | (236) 202-3580 Ext. 2249 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Eby eyes increased trade potential with Malaysia in 10-day trip to Asia
Social Sharing Malaysia is far from being one of British Columbia's top trading partners, but Agriculture Minister Lana Popham says the country is being included in an Asian trade tour as part of a bid to diversify trade away from the United States. Premier David Eby, Popham, B.C.'s parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade, Paul Choi, and business leaders leave Sunday on the 10-day mission that will also include Japan and South Korea. It's Eby's second trip to Asia since becoming premier in late 2022. Popham acknowledged that B.C. does not trade a lot with Malaysia now. "But that is why we are going there," she said Wednesday. "They have let us know that they are interested in trading." According to government figures, B.C. agricultural exports to Malaysia totalled $10.7 million in 2024 with total trade to Malaysia totalling $162 million, a far cry from the $5.6 billion worth of trade with Japan and $3.6 billion with South Korea. Asked at a technical briefing on the trip why Malaysia was included, staff pointed to the southeast Asian nation's demographics, with a population that is still growing and is younger than either South Korea or Japan. Malaysia also currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a continental trading bloc with which Canada is currently negotiating a free trade deal. Focus on food Popham added that the delegation to the largely Muslim country will visit a Halal food exhibition. "We have a lot of producers who are producing Halal food, so we are going to see how we can expand that and open up opportunities." The technical briefing heard that Japan, with a population of 123 million, ranks third among B.C.'s trading partners, accounting for 10.4 per cent of exports, while South Korea with a population of 52 million ranks fourth, accounting for about 6.6 per cent. Malaysia, with a population of 34 million, ranks 16th. The tour is not including mainland China because it has imposed tariffs on Canadian food, including B.C. shellfish. Popham's presence points to one of the specific goals of the trade mission — raising the profile of B.C. food products. She said the delegation will visit a large fish market in Osaka, Japan's second-largest city. Other stops will include food retailers in Japan and South Korea, Popham added. Popham said now is a "critical time" for B.C. to find customers for its agricultural products.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Eby's 10-day Asian trade trip eyes growth potential in Malaysia
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement in Vancouver on Monday, May 26, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press) VICTORIA — British Columbia government staff say Malaysia is being included in an Asian trade tour by Premier David Eby and other ministers as part of a bid to diversify trade away from the United States. Asked at a technical briefing on the trip why the nation was included alongside the much larger trading partners of Japan and South Korea, staff pointed to Malaysia's demographics, with a younger population that's still growing. Eby's 10-day trade mission departing Sunday will also include Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, Parliamentary Secretary for Asia-Pacific Trade Paul Choi and business leaders. It's Eby's second trip to Asia since becoming premier in late 2022. The briefing on Wednesday heard that Japan, with a population of 123 million, ranks third among B.C.'s trading partners, accounting for 10.4 per cent of exports, while South Korea with a population of 52 million ranks fourth, accounting for about 6.6 per cent. Malaysia, with a population of 34 million, ranks 16th among B.C.'s trading partners. Malaysia also currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a continental trading bloc, with which Canada is currently negotiating a free trade deal. Eby is not going to mainland China because it has imposed tariffs on Canadian food, including B.C. shellfish. This report by Wolfgang Depner of The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Eby to visit Japan, South Korea and Malaysia on trade trip to reduce U.S. reliance
B.C. Premier David Eby says a trade mission to Asia next month will help the province become the 'engine of a new Canada,' but one economist says B.C. also needs to become more competitive at home. Eby will be visiting Japan, South Korea and Malaysia between June 1 and June 10 as part of a business delegation also including B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham and Paul Choi, parliamentary secretary for Asia-Pacific trade. Eby says the trip is aimed at deepening ties with existing customers buying goods from British Columbia and finding new ones for natural resources in demand around the world. He says the trip is part of a joint plan with the federal government to make Canada more independent and less reliant on the United States. Jairo Yunis, director of policy with the Business Council of British Columbia, says it's important to diversify trade, but this agenda will only pay off if B.C. speeds up permitting for natural resources and becomes a more attractive place for foreign investors. Japan and South Korea rank third and fourth among B.C.'s trading partners, well behind mainland China and the United States, which absorbs about 55 per cent of provincial exports.
Globe and Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Three MLAs are supporting a B.C. farming family whose 400 ostriches are to be culled
A member of an ostrich farming family held back tears as she called on the provincial government to help stop the cull of their 400 birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the cull in late 2024 after an avian flu outbreak, but family spokesperson Katie Pasitney says the animals living on her parents' farm in Edgewood, B.C., are 'healthy' and 'happy' now and pose no risk. Pasitney says the birds are her family's livelihood and having to kill them would be catastrophic. As Canada rushes to curb bird flu, B.C. farmers decry cull order for 400 ostriches Pasitney is in Victoria meeting provincial officials, including B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, and is receiving support from three former Conservative MLAs, who are now sitting as independents. The family and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are waiting on a Federal Court judge to rule on the fate of the animals. Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy acknowledges that the federal government will ultimately decide the fate of the birds, but says the provincial government can help secure a stay of execution by lobbying for an exemption from the rules.
