Advocacy
CanExport SMEs – Tradecommissioner.gc.ca
The CanExport SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) program offers competitive funding to help eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises expand into new international markets.
CanExport SMEs is now accepting applications, and the program is already attracting strong demand from businesses across Canada looking to diversify their exports.
Federal
Please be advised that new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been identified in Argentina. Poultry, birds (including pet birds) and certain poultry products originating from Argentina are not permitted for import into Canada.
Please consult the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – Disease Freedom webpage for more information.
The governments of Canada and Indonesia have agreed to increase market access to Canadian beef and pork products in Indonesia.
Canadian exporters are now able to ship over-thirty-month (OTM) bone-in beef, pork and pork products. Indonesia has also approved additional Canadian facilities.
Food Processing Skills Canada’s 2026 Impact Report highlights the bold action being taken across Canada to build a resilient, skilled, and future-ready workforce. From innovative training initiatives to sector-wide collaboration, the report demonstrates measurable progress and reinforces the strength of Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry.
The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated an expiry review (RR-2025-009) of its finding made on April 22, 2021, in inquiry NQ-2020-003, to determine if the expiry of the finding is likely to lead to continued or resumed dumping of wheat gluten from Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Lithuania and is likely to result in injury to the domestic industry.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
- Ethylene bisdithiocarbamate fungicides (PMRL2026-06) Open Consultation Posted: February 26, 2026
- Acynonapyr (PMRL2026-05) Open for consultation Posted: February 26, 2026
- Fluazaindolizine (PMRL2026-04) Open for consultation Posted: February 26, 2026
- Consultation on Permitting Pesticide Application by Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS; commonly known as drones) for Products Currently Registered for Aerial Application (PRO2026-01) Open for consultation Posted: February 23, 2026
Provincial
Ontario and Nova Scotia Sign Historic Direct-to-Consumer Alcohol Agreement | Ontario Newsroom
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to allow consumers to purchase alcohol directly from the other province’s local producers, including breweries, wineries and distilleries. Allowing direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales between the provinces is part of the province’s plan to tear down barriers to interprovincial trade, which will give consumers greater choice and convenience, while creating more opportunities for producers.
Ontario Protecting Northern and Rural Livestock Producers | Ontario Newsroom
Province expanding eligibility and modernizing the Veterinary Assistance Program to support Ontario’s agriculture sector
The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed March as Agriculture Literacy Month, creating opportunities for students across the province to learn about the role agriculture plays in their daily lives.
USA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration unveiled an important update to its infant formula web-based resources, a pivotal move to increase transparency and ensure families and healthcare providers have streamlined access to timely, reliable information.
Why Protecting Confidential Information is Key to the FDA’s “Gold Standard” | FDA
The FDA must maintain a delicate balance: being a model of openness regarding the scientific basis of its decisions, while safeguarding the proprietary secrets of the industries it regulates. This isn’t just a bureaucratic preference, it is a legal mandate. While the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) promotes disclosure, other laws like the Trade Secrets Act and the Privacy Act mandate strict confidentiality.
States’ legislation on raw milk sales moving forward | Food Safety News
Bills to loosen restrictions on raw, unpasteurized milk are advancing through several state legislatures.
Raw milk, sometimes referred to as “fresh” milk, is sold straight from the animal and has not been pasteurized to kill bacteria and viruses.
A new study published in the Journal of Food Engineering demonstrated the risk of cross-contamination created by the dispersal of various allergenic food powders.
International
The European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) has concluded that ethanol may be approved for use in hand and general disinfectants. The Committee did not take a position on whether ethanol should be considered a carcinogenic or reprotoxic substance.
Recalls: A Review of 2025 | BRCGS
This article looks back at some of the key food safety outbreaks, incidents and recalls of 2025 to provide insight that we can use to challenge our own systems and processes.
Nestlé’s Four pillars – Food and Snacks, Coffee, Nutrition, Petcare
Swiss food and beverage giant unveils bold new strategy for the future
Safety Share
Province unveils new Occupational Exposure Registry that will let workers document exposure to hazardous substances throughout their careers
Events
How Food Processors and Agricultural Businesses Can Access Grants FREE Webinar Mar 10, 2026 01:00 PM ET
In this free webinar, Jeff Carrier from helloDarwin will welcome two grant specialists, Robin Ghosh and Samuel Chamberland. They will present the key government funding programs for the agri-food industry in 2026.
The GFSI Conference, set for March 24-26, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, will bring together more than 600 experts and business leaders from more than 40 countries to find ways to ensure greater action on food safety challenges.
To find out more about the conference and register, click here.
Safety Connection: Working For Workers Act – Where Are We Now | WSPS
FREE Webinar 8-Apr-2026 10:30 am EST 1.5 hours
In this session we will review why the working for workers acts were created, and all of the OHSA and Regulation changes that have occurred though the working for workers act releases. The session will also provide guidance and tips to help Employers navigate and implement the various updates and changes.
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