CAAR was busy in the first quarter of 2022 - we know it's hard to keep up with everything. Learn about CAAR's activities in our first Quarterly At-A-Glance of 2022, providing an overview of how we represented and advocated on behalf of ag retailers across Canada from January to March 2022.

ADVOCACY & INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION

Perhaps CAAR's greatest value proposition to members is its advocacy work on behalf of ag retailers. CAAR continues to work directly with federal and provincial regulators and partners with agriculture associations ensuring the uninterrupted business of ag retailing.  CAAR’s active participation in industry groups, committees and meetings to ensure that Canadian ag retailers are represented consistently.

In the first Quarter of 2022, CAAR was actively engaged in the following issues:

• Addressing the MRL issue - CAAR strongly believes Canada needs to continue to advocate internationally for MRL harmonization based on modern science, and not move away from the standards set internationally. Our sector depends on international trade and harmonized MRLs are key to facilitate export of Canadian agricultural commodities.
• Challenging the need for more PMRA oversight through the appointment of a pesticide review panels.
• Supporting the PMRA review of glyphosate as a product of minimal risk and non-cancer-causing contributor to human health when utilized at recommended label rates.
• Challenging the strategic direction and alignment of EU agriculture policy adoption in Canada. Resulting in objectives to reduce synthetic fertilizer use and pesticides. 
• Updating and reviewing the Transport Canada Section 1.24 Anhydrous Ammonia Exemption regulations to ensure proposed changes do not burden the retails and farmers.
• Renewing SGI Permits
  • CAAR has once again successfully renewed the SGI Letter of Approval to Anhydrous Ammonia or Fertilizer Distributors, expiring Dec. 31, 2022
• Ensuring open borders during the Covid-19 pandemic
  • CAAR worked to ensure logistics between Canada and the United States remained open when mask mandates and other protocols differed between the two countries. 
• Reviewing Canadian Green Policies
  • CAAR worked to ensure all farm inputs be exempt from carbon taxes including grain drying.
  • Worked to ensure the past 20 years of technology adoption relating to increases of carbon sequestering, increasing organic matter are recognized, and have led to a significant reduction of soil erosion and GHG emissions.
• Supporting the communication and transition of pesticide container collection and recycling initiatives from municipal collection sites to retail sites, targeting Alberta and Manitoba.
• Supporting the Manitoba government’s introduction of amendments to the Environment Act that would allow Health Canada approved pesticides to be used in low-risk areas including on private lawns.

MEMBERSHIP

CAAR membership and member value remain the top priority of the CAAR board of directors and staff.  CAAR welcomed LeftField Commodity Research as a CAAR Perk$ Partner.

COMMUNICATIONS

CAAR has been communicating with members regularly on issues of importance, tackling complex issues in CAAR Communicator, providing regular updates in the CAAR network newsletter, and providing member alerts on issues that are more time sensitive.  These communication activities included:

• Providing members with updates regarding recent industry acquisitions involving members, such a Blair’s Crop Solution and Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (Koch)
• Ensuring there was clarity for members regarding vaccination requirements for truckers during a time of confusion.
• Ensuring members were aware of resources related to Canadian Ag Safety Week
• Following the floods in BC
  • Ensuring members were kept aware of logistics challenges in the industry
  • Providing members with information related to Disaster relief and recovery plans
• Updating members on the status of glysophate supplies in Canada  
• Ensuring members were aware that Fertilizer Canada had renewed the hours of service exemption permit for retailers
• Communicating the status of variances for nitrogen and phosphorous

2022 VIRTUAL CAAR CONFERENCE

Thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored and presented at the 2022 Virtual CAAR Conference!  Hosted online from February 9th & 10th, 2022, the 2022 Virtual CAAR Conference was a great success, including panel discussions on the MRL issue and a number of presentations related to some of the on-going advocacy issues noted above. 

TRAINING

CAAR offers exclusive training programs to specifically meet the needs of the ag retailer. Renew your certifications online from the comfort of your office or home.  CAAR recently organized a 
Virtual NTSP training session.

For more information about training opportunities, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

CAAR PRO-AG INVESTMENTS

The CAAR Pro-Ag Investments Online Auction was hosted during the 2022 Virtual CAAR Conference and thanks to everyone who participated and supported the auction by either bidding or donating products we raised over $75,000!

Proceeds of the auction directly support CAAR’s operations and activities, enabling CAAR to keep member fees low and support other causes such as CAAR’s advocacy efforts, training course upgrades, delivery of expanded and new programming and scholarships to post-secondary ag students.

Click here to learn more about CAAR Pro-Ag Investments and how you can help support.