The LineUp
The LineUp content hub features the latest releases and articles as they are distributed by Newsline, and it serves as a central location for the agriculture sector and media professionals to stay informed and up to date.
Grain Growers of Canada signs trilateral industry letter calling for CUSMA renewal and strengthening
June 2, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) — Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has joined more than 160 agricultural organizations from Canada, the United States and Mexico in signing a trilateral industry letter calling for the renewal and strengthening of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC). The letter, addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian Minister Responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc, and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, calls on all three governments to protect the integrated North American agricultural trading framework ahead of the July 1, 2026, joint review. Canadian grain farmers have a direct stake in the outcome. Canada exports over 70 per cent of the grain it grows, generating $45 billion in annual export value. The United States is the sector’s largest trading partner, with over $17 billion in grain and grain products flowing there annually, a highly integrated market that cannot be replaced at scale. From 2024 to 2025, the export value of Canadian grain and grain products decreased by over $2.3 billion, a reflection of how quickly market access disruptions translate into farm-level losses. Reliable, rules-based market access is a core requirement for farm viability, and CUSMA has been central to that. The agreement has supported …
North American agricultural coalition calls for CUSMA/USMCA renewal as Canadian delegation heads to Capitol Hill
CAFTA delegation to meet with members of key congressional committees and federal officials as nearly 160 organizations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico urge governments to protect the North American agricultural trading framework ahead of July 1 review. June 2, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is joining nearly 160 North American agricultural organizations in calling for the renewal and strengthening of CUSMA/USMCA and backing that call with a delegation in Washington this week for direct meetings with members of key congressional committees and federal officials ahead of the July 1, 2026, joint review. CAFTA and its member organizations are among the signatories of a trilateral industry letter released today to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, urging all three governments to protect the integrated North American agricultural trading framework that has tripled agrifood trade between the three countries between 2005 and 2023, reaching $285 billion. Meetings will reinforce the trilateral letter’s call to protect that rules-based framework and ensure the July 1 review strengthens and preserves the disciplines that have made the agreement work. “Nearly 160 organizations across the United States, Canada and Mexico are …
Swine Innovation Porc to Host Webinar on Disease Risk and Antimicrobial Use in Swine Production
May 28, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) will host a national webinar on June 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET exploring how disease prevention and management strategies can help reduce antimicrobial use in swine production. Titled Disease Risk and Antimicrobial Use in Swine: From Post-Weaning Diarrhea to System-Level Prevention, the webinar will feature Dr. Vahab Farzan (University of Guelph) and Dr. Gustavo Silva (Iowa State University), who will provide complementary perspectives on disease risk, prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship in swine systems. Dr. Farzan will present findings from Swine Cluster 4 research on post-weaning diarrhea (PWD)., He will share insights from a pan-Canadian epidemiological study examining key bacterial strains, risk factors, and management challenges linked to PWD in nursery pigs. Dr. Silva will provide a broader systems-level perspective on how diseases such as PRRS and other endemic conditions spread within swine production systems, and how biosecurity, surveillance, and risk assessment can help reduce disease pressure and improve herd health. “Disease prevention and antimicrobial stewardship remain major priorities for producers across Canada,” said Daniel Ramage, General Manager of Swine Innovation Porc. “This webinar will provide practical insights into the factors driving disease risk and the strategies that can help producers …
Canada’s Meat Processors Join CAFTA, Strengthening Agri-Food Voice Ahead of Key Trade Negotiations
April 30, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) and the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) today announced that CMC has joined as a Friend of CAFTA, deepening the agri-food sector’s representation at a critical moment for international trade. CAFTA represents producers, processors, and exporters across Canada’s agri-food sector, advancing trade priorities in Ottawa and internationally to support market access and reduce barriers. This work is central to Canada’s meat sector, one of the most trade-exposed in the country, with deep ties to North American trade under CUSMA and a strong reliance on global export markets. As Canada prepares for the 2026 CUSMA Joint Review and exporters navigate a more complex global environment, CMC’s alignment with CAFTA reflects a clear intent to help shape trade outcomes at both the federal and international levels. “Joining as a Friend of CAFTA is a strategic step forward at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said Kyle Larkin, President and CEO of CMC. “With the 2026 CUSMA review on the horizon and global market volatility increasing, it’s more important than ever that the agri-food sector speaks with a unified voice.” “Meat processing companies rely on stable, rules-based trade to reach over 90 …
“Too Much on the Line” campaign launched as new study reveals the cost of supply chain disruptions
April 30, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – A new economic analysis finds a single week of rail and port disruptions during peak export season costs Canada’s grain sector up to $540 million, largely in unrecoverable export sales. The analysis, commissioned by the Agriculture Transport Coalition, examined the economic impact of labour disruptions across rail and port operations during peak grain export periods and found that losses compound rapidly and fall disproportionately on farmers and exporters, with missed sales that cannot be recovered once shipments are delayed. The coalition released the findings today as part of Too Much on the Line, a national campaign calling on the federal government to reform Canada’s labour relations framework and reduce the risk of future supply chain shutdowns. The coalition is encouraging Canadians to visit KeepGrainMoving.ca and send a letter to their Member of Parliament, adding that participation in the federal consultation process is critical to ensuring government decisions reflect the economic realities of Canada’s grain supply chain. “Every time grain stops moving, the consequences are immediate and unrecoverable,” said Bruce Burrows, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada. “Missed sales, broken contracts, and a reputation as a reliable supplier that takes years to rebuild. Canada …
CAFTA Executive Director Michael Harvey Appointed to Canada–U.S. Economic Advisory Committee
April 21, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) welcomes the appointment of its Executive Director, Michael Harvey, to the Government of Canada’s newly established Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations, ahead of the 2026 Joint Review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and to be chaired by Minister Dominic LeBlanc, the Advisory Committee includes leaders from business, labour, and industry and will serve as a forum to inform Canada’s economic and security engagement with the United States. “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent Canada’s agri-food exporters on this Committee,” said Michael Harvey. “It presents our sector with an important opportunity to drive exporter priorities into action, including maintaining reliable cross-border trade, addressing emerging barriers, and strengthening the framework that underpins North American food production.” CAFTA represents 90 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exporters, whose livelihoods depend on trade. With nearly $3.6 billion in goods and services crossing the Canada–U.S. border daily, that relationship is central to Canada’s competitiveness, export growth, and farm viability. “As CUSMA discussions advance, it will be essential that Canada’s agri-food exporters have a strong voice at the table,” said Greg Northey, …
Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers Welcomes Adrienne Herron as General Manager
April 21, 2026 (Okotoks, AB) — The Alberta-British Columbia Seed Growers (ABCSG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrienne Herron as its new General Manager, effective May 4, 2026. Herron succeeds Kelly Chambers, who will retire on May 29, 2026, following a successful tenure leading the organization. “I am very excited to join ABCSG and to work alongside such a dedicated group of members,” said Herron. “I look forward to building strong relationships and supporting the organization in advancing the interests of seed growers while promoting innovation and sustainability across the sector.” Herron brings extensive experience in agriculture and producer engagement. Raised on a mixed farm in British Columbia’s North Peace region, she holds both a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agricultural Systems and a Master of Agricultural Science from the University of Alberta and is a Professional Agrologist. She previously spent over 13 years with Alberta Agriculture and most recently served as the Knowledge Translation and Transfer Lead with the Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab, where she focused on connecting research with on-farm practices. Herron lives in Red Deer County on a cattle seedstock operation. ABCSG President Sarah Weigum welcomed Herron to the organization, highlighting the value of her …
Grain Growers of Canada welcomes Bill C-273 to support innovation and competitiveness in agriculture
April 17, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the introduction of Bill C-273, the FARM Act, which would help drive innovation and competitiveness in Canadian agriculture through faster access to crop protection tools. Bill C-273 would require provisional approval within 90 days for products already approved in two trusted international jurisdictions, while maintaining Canada’s rigorous safety standards through a subsequent full review process. Improving the pace at which new products reach the market has long been a priority for the agriculture sector, which has consistently called for regulatory modernization to improve the timeliness, transparency and predictability of the agricultural innovation system. Bill C-273 would help advance that objective by enabling faster adoption of innovation and supporting competitiveness across the sector. Introduced by Conservative MP David Bexte, the bill builds on similar legislation previously brought forward by Liberal MP Kody Blois, reflecting support for agriculture across party lines and a shared recognition that Canada’s regulatory timelines need to improve. This alignment in Parliament presents a clear opportunity to move forward in a practical way that helps farmers in a rapidly changing environment. Grain Growers of Canada welcomes this consensus and emphasizes the opportunity to advance Bill C-273 without …
