IN GERMANY, SEASONAL EATING AS WAY OF LIFE – AND EXCUSE TO CELEBRATE . . . ENCOURAGING BENEFICIAL INSECTS . . . LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. TRAVEL . . . NEW MEMBER NAMED TO HYDRAULIC FRACTURING COMMISSION . . . ADDITIONAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED TO HELP POTATO INDUSTRY DEAL WITH TAMPERING . . . OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST...

IN GERMANY, SEASONAL EATING AS WAY OF LIFE – AND EXCUSE TO CELEBRATE
Source: NPR
You know it’s springtime in Germany when eager shoppers ransack the produce aisle of the local supermarket. In April, it’s the rhubarb, in May, it’s the peaches, and in June, it’s the cherries. These fruits only put in a brief appearance while they are in season; the rest of the year, you have to rely on their canned or frozen equivalent. (read more)

ENCOURAGING BENEFICIAL INSECTS
Source: AAF
Encouraging and protecting natural enemies can be an excellent way to control pest populations. “Everybody is familiar with ladybugs and lacewings as voracious, pest-consuming beneficial insects,” says Dustin Morton, commercial horticulture specialist Alberta Ag-Info Centre. “But fewer are familiar with how natural enemies such as hover flies, ground beetles, and even yellow jacket wasps contribute to a healthy integrated pest management (IPM) plan by reducing pest numbers. ” Morton says the use of beneficial insects or natural enemy populations is based on three basic principles in agriculture: augmentation, classic biological control or importation, and conservation and enhancement. (read more)

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. TRAVEL
Source: NSFA
Commencing July 1, 2015, the U.S. plans to begin enforcing medical certification requirements for Canadian class 5 drivers operating a commercial vehicle in the U.S. A commercial Motor Vehicle by U.S. definition is, among other criteria, a gross vehicle combination weight of 4,536 kg. (read more)

NEW MEMBER NAMED TO HYDRAULIC FRACTURING COMMISSION
Source: NB Dept of Energy and Mines
The former clerk of the Executive Council, Marc Léger, will join the Commission on Hydraulic Fracturing. “We are pleased that Mr. Léger has agreed to accept this challenging new position,” said Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneault. “I am confident that his breadth of experience and the exemplary leadership he has shown throughout his career will serve New Brunswickers well as the commission learns more about how hydraulic fracturing impacts our health, water and environment.” Léger joins commission members John McLaughlin and Cheryl Robertson. Guy Richard has stepped down from his role. (read more)

ADDITIONAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED TO HELP POTATO INDUSTRY DEAL WITH TAMPERING
Source: Island Farmer
Both the federal and provincial governments have increased funding to the potato industry to help Island growers deal with the impact of tampering. Fisheries and oceans Minister Gail Shea, who is P.E.I.’s representative at the federal cabinet table, was at the P.E.I. Potato Board Office June 22 to announce an additional $1.5 million to help growers install metal detecting equipment in the wake of a series of tampering cases that began last October and continued this spring. Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Alan McIsaac said the province is chipping in an additional $500,000. Both amounts are in addition to the $1.4 million already allocated for the program under a joint Growing Forward 2 project. (read more)