The Canadian Federation of Agriculture wrapped up its AGM yesterday.
Members passed 53 resolutions that will outline the groups focus in the coming year.
This year’s resolutions cover a range of issues, including: conservation, climate change, labour, rural infrastructure, crop protection, international trade, risk management and much more.
Three resolutions brought forward by the Keystone Agricultural Producers passed.
One resolution called on the CFA to lobby the Pest Management Regulatory Agency to amend regulations to allow for more flexibility for research in using drones for pesticide applications.
KAP'S vice president Jake Ayre says there are only a few select products that are currently approved by the PMRA to be sprayed by a drone.
"A lack of data currently exists that prevents the further advancement of pesticide applications using drones. The current regulatory environment makes it a challenge to advance drone research in an expidited manner and various amendments to the PCP (Pest Control Product) Regulations would assist in advancing drone research. So the ask here is just even to get the research done we need to see regulations changed."
Other KAP resolutions that passed called on the CFA to lobby the Government of Canada to incentivize the use of renewable diesel as an alternative fuel source for agriculture.
And for the CFA to lobby the Canadian Grain Commission to work with producers and grain companies to improve clarity and fairness within the grain contracts.
KAP'S vice president Jake Ayre says in the last few years there's been a massive focus on grain contracts with the recent droughts.
He pointed out there's been a lot of things in the contracts that are unclear for farmers.
Source : Pembinavalley online