As I’ve been catching up from being mostly away for two weeks, all sorts of farming news shinies have been catching my attention. Some of them are pretty inspiring. (And one really isn’t.) The running thread seems to be that there is more awareness over where our food comes from and people are requesting change. A lot of the change is in the hands of the government, and they may just be listening.
Over the next four years Quebec wants to increase the amount of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming by 20%. They also want to increase the number of businesses making and selling organic products. Apparently this lofty goal is being driven by consumer demand for more local and organic products as well as increased public interest in more sustainable farming practice. Yes! we have the power!
Meanwhile, over in Ohio, farmers and animal rights activists have come to agreement that will restrict the close confinement of hens, hogs and veal calves. Some people are calling the agreement the beginning of the end of factory farming. Once again, concerns over environmental issues around large livestock farms and consumer demand for more local and natural products is cited as the driving force behind the agreement. It follows a similar limits imposed by California in 2008. Really,we do have the power!
(If you’re wondering what it’s like for food animals in Canada, check out this documentary from Global in Winnipeg: “Revealed: No Country for Animals examines Canada’s deplorable record on animal welfare and looks at the people who are fighting to bring about much-needed change.” People often don’t believe me when I say that we lag behind many US states, but we do. Come on guys and gals, we’ve got the power, remember? (Thanks to Penser Avant D’ouvrir La Bouche for passing this along.))
Back close to home again, the environmental sustainability group CRAPAUD (Collectif en Amenagement Paysager et en Agriculture Urbaine Durable) has launched a petition to allow backyard chickens in Montreal. If they’re successful, Montreal will join cities like Vancouver, Los Angeles and New York who already allow residents to keep chickens within city limits. Yay for fresh eggs! You can sign the petition here: www.mapouleamontreal.com.
And it’s not just chickens. Honey bees could soon be arriving in town too! Montreal is expecting to launch a pilot project next year in the Plateau district with the Union Paysanne. Other cities that have urban honey bees include Toronto, Paris, Chicago and Seattle.
Photo credit: Dan Hankins (Creative Commons License)
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