Canadian Food Summit

Special rate available for the Toronto Food Policy Council and their friends! The Conference Board of Canada is planning a major international summit on the future of food in Canada, taking place on February 7-8, 2012, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Toronto Food Policy Council has negotiated a special rate for you to attend! About the Canadian Food Summit Taking its lead from the ambitious research agenda of the Centre for Food in Canada (CFIC), the Canadian Food Summit 2012 offers you an outstanding opportunity to hear from leaders around the world and join in the discussion on the future of food in Canada as we move forward in creating a Canadian Food Strategy. Hosted by Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman of Loblaw Companies and Anne Golden, President and CEO of The Conference Board of Canada, this event features representation from across the Canadian food system. You will participate with them in a lively and important dialogue about safe and healthy food, food security, and food sustainability. Summit delegates will be the first to hear several groundbreaking research reports from the Centre for Food in Canada. No other event in Canada will offer such a comprehensive analysis of the state of food in Canada or the first steps toward a vision for the future.

View conference details here.

Lauren Baker, co-ordinator the Toronto Food Policy Council, will be speaking to the topic of Success Factors for Local Initiatives on Day 1 of the Summit, and will be joined by nearly 50 top Canadian and International Speakers including:

• Galen G. Weston, Executive Chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited
• Mark Bittman, New York Times Columnist, and Author of Food Matters, How to Cook Everything, and Cooking Solves Everything
• Wayne D. Jones, Head, Agro-Food Trade and Markets Division, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris, France
• Michael H. McCain, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
• Bob Séguin, President, George Morris Centre
• Lorne Bozinoff, President, Forum Research
• Sarah Church, Head of Food Policy, Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom
• Ralph Martin, Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production, University of Guelph
• James Withers, Chief Executive Officer, Scotland Food & Drink
• John Knubley, Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Ron Bonnett, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
• Fred Andersen, Vice-President, Viterra
• Michael R. Bloom, Vice-President, Organizational Effectiveness and Learning, The Conference Board of Canada
• David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada
• Dino Dello Sbarba, President and Chief Operating Officer, Dairy Products Division (Canada) and by interim (Europe and Argentina), Saputo Dairy Products G.P.
• Nick Saul, Executive Director, The Stop Community Food Centre
• Gaëtan Lussier, Chair, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI)
• Michael Grant, Director of Research, Centre for Food in Canada, The Conference Board of Canada
• Richard Souness, General Manager, Food, Agricultural Productivity Division, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Government of Australia

View the full list of speakers here.

The Canadian Food Summit is not only important, it's different from every other forum about food. This is not a one-way summit. The goal for everyone here is not only to chart the appropriate direction for Canada's food policies-it is also to put forth practical, detailed ideas on how to stay on course and capitalize on the full potential of Canada's food system... and your input is essential! Register now!

Members, Colleagues and Friends of the TFPC qualify for the special discounted rate of $300 per person. Please contact Tracie Jones at jones@conferenceboard.ca or 613-526-3090 x 286 to register. Don't forget to mention the Promo Code TFPC to receive our special rate.

Ontario Ministry of Environment
modernization of approvals

The modernization of approvals project has taken another step and posted a number of key documents on the EBR and business registry for public comment.

1. EBR Technical Papers relating to the next round of EASR candidates for a 45 day public review period

• Waste Collection & Transportation;
• Redi-Mix Concrete Manufacturing;
• Lithographic, Screening and Digital Printing; and
• Concrete Product Manufacturing.

Job Opportunity, Richmond Hill Ontario

Title: Manager – Bloomington Compost Facility

Location: Bloomington Compost Facility – 1351 Bloomington Road, Richmond Hill

Responsibilities:

• The receipt and processing of materials,
• Complying with Ministry of Labour and Ministry of the Environment legislation
• Tracking and reporting on key operating variables including productivity, efficiency and unscheduled equipment downtime.
• Working closely with the equipment maintenance team to ensure that equipment is properly maintained and available when needed
• Preparing budgets and tracking and measuring financial performance to budget
• Overseeing personnel issues, such as hiring and training, managing the operating staff and imposing disciplinary measures when required, according to Miller Group policies
• Implementing growth plans as well as managing contract compliance and customer relationships
• Striving for continuous improvement to the overall performance of the site

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in managing a business unit in the compost industry or in a similar operation. You will have a demonstrated ability to manage people effectively to enhance performance and create a strong, disciplined, operating team. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, superior organization skills, an entrepreneurial spirit and a demonstrated ability to get results. A working knowledge of composting, landscaping, soil blending and/or aggregate markets would be a definite asset. Proficiency in Excel and Word applications is a prerequisite.

Interested candidates are requested to apply to David Freemantle, Human Resources Manager at:

8050 Woodbine Ave. Markham, ON L3R 2N8
Phone: (905) 475-6397, ext. 5240
Fax: (905) 475-6396
david.freemantle@millergroup.ca

Orgaworld is an innovative and fast growing International company in the field of organic waste processing. Orgaworld's focus is to process waste into valuable end-uses, such as the Orgapower compost products, energy, and fuels. Orgaworld owns and is constructing composting and anaerobic digestion facilities in Europe and North America.

Orgaworld Canada Ltd. operates in two locations in Ontario - London and Ottawa, and is implementing a strategy of rapid expansion across North America.

Junior Composting Process Supervisor – Full Time

Orgaworld is seeking a talented young professional for this key position who will be able to commission, troubleshoot and provide daily technical support to installations across North America; initially based at the London, ON facility. The position may require frequent travel dependent upon various activities and projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or environmental field would be an asset.
• Hands-on experience trouble shooting and problem solving in the composting or organic waste processing industry preferable.
• In-depth knowledge of aerobic/anaerobic systems, tunnel composting, relevant biological processes, theories and industry best practice of organic waste recycling.
• Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements and achieve cost savings.
• Willingness and flexibility to work during and after business hours to “get the job done”.
• Proficient in using MS Office software – experience with SCADA systems desirable.
• Knowledge of ISO and OHSA would be considered an asset.
• Bilingual English and French considered a plus.

The company offers a competitive benefits and health-care package, performance related bonus and the opportunity to grow and be part of a rapidly expanding company in North America.

For consideration, please forward your resume to the following attention:

Dr. Greg Mariotti
5123 Hawthorne Road
Ottawa K1G 3Y3
Ontario
gmariotti@orgaworld.ca
Fax: 613 822 2058

An Update on
Imprelis vis-a-vis the Canadian Marketplace

The following is an update from the PMRA regarding the herbicide, Imprelis, which has been approved in the US but is yet to be marketed in Canada. We will follow-up with you in case we need to get into letter-writing ... but in the meantime, it seems that our timing to alert PMRA has been good. Thank goodness for the international networks that you have allowed us to develop through your support of our Council.

Susan Antler Executive Director
The Compost Council of Canada
877 571 GROW(4769)
www.compost.org

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Hello Susan,

The PMRA thanks you for bringing the alert regarding the herbicide

Imprelis (active ingredient, aminocyclopyrachlor) issued by the US Composting Council to the attention of the PMRA. The PMRA has received an application for Canadian registration of aminocyclopyrachlor and an end-use product containing this active ingredient. However its use on turf is not proposed. Nonetheless, the issues regarding compost contamination will be considered during the detailed evaluation and risk assessment of this active ingredient and associated end-use product.

I trust this is satisfactory.

Pest Management Regulatory Agency/
Agence de réglementation de la lutte
antiparasitaire
2720 Riverside Drive
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9
1-800-267-6315 (Within Canada)
613-736-3799 (Elsewhere)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/index-eng.php

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Email of May 25th to Members of the Compost Council of Canada:

The US Composting Council released an alert this morning to composting facilities regarding grass clippings that might be potentially contaminated with a new herbicide, Imprelis, from Dupont.

The full alert is provided at the end of this email.

We have called the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and are talking with Health Canada's PMRA (Pes Management Regulatory Agency) about this. It does not appear that the product is available for sale in Canada, having yet to be registered through the PMRA.

This is our highest priority ... and so we will be providing you with additional info/recommended next steps as we rally our information and input.

We just wanted you to know about this as quickly as possible so that you are in the loop, etc.

Thanks.
Susan

Susan Antler Executive Director
The Compost Council of Canada
877 571 GROW(4769)

Alert as issued by The US Composting Council to US Compost Facility
Members:

(Ronkonkoma, NY) The US Composting Council (USCC) is warning composters to watch out for grass clippings contaminated with a new herbicide from DuPont. Imprelis has been registered in every state except California and New York for use by licensed applicators on lawns and other turf areas for control of broadleaf weeds like dandelion, clover and plantain. The label clearly states that clippings from treated grass should not be used as mulch or put in a compost pile.

"One problem is that the warning is on page 7 of a 9 page label," remarked Dr. Stuart Buckner, Executive Director of the USCC, "and unfortunately not everyone reads or follows the label. We are requesting the USEPA initiate a special review of the registration due to the likelihood of residual herbicide levels in compost damaging non-target plants."

The USCC is informing the composting industry and consumers that grass from treated lawns could end up in a compost pile, and unlike most herbicides, Imprelis will survive the composting process and still be active in the finished compost. Preliminary research has shown that

Imprelis does not break down significantly faster than the leaves and grass in the compost, so the concentration stays about the same. An unsuspecting gardener using contaminated compost could end up damaging their flowers and vegetables, most of which are also broad-leafed.

It is unlikely that municipal or commercial compost will contain significant amounts of Imprelis, though it is possible in suburban areas where a large amount of clippings could come from commercially-treated lawns. It could especially be an issue for places like schools, recreational fields or golf courses that use their grass clippings to make compost and then use the compost in landscape beds or gardens instead of placing back on turf.

"We are alerting our members to this issue, that they need to make sure their haulers are informed to not bring them grass clippings that have been treated with Imprelis," continued Buckner. "We also suggest they work with their state's bureau of pesticide applicator licenses to ensure applicators know about this restriction. We have reprinted Dupont's special applicator notice on the back of our Composter Alert."
To view the Composter Alert click here.

/The U.S. Composting Council is a Trade and Professional Organization dedicated to the development, education and promotion of the Composting industry./

For more information, contact:
Dr. Stuart Buckner, Executive Director
U.S. Composting Council
631-737-4931