Canada – Prince Edward Island dairy company fined $50,000 for offence under the Fisheries Act

Mar 31, 2022 | International

On March 23, 2022, Nobra Holsteins Inc. was sentenced and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine after pleading guilty to one count of contravening subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act related to a liquid manure spill that occurred on or about June 3, 2020.

March 31, 2022 – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Strong and effective enforcement of Canada’s environmental and wildlife protection laws is one of the concrete ways we are delivering on our commitment to provide clean air, clean water, and the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat.

On March 23, 2022, Nobra Holsteins Inc. was sentenced and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine after pleading guilty to one count of contravening subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act related to a liquid manure spill that occurred on or about June 3, 2020. The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund. In addition to the fine, the company has been ordered to create a Manure Spill Prevention and Response Plan that will be readily available to all company employees and farm workers.

On June 3 and 4, 2020, an Environment and Climate Change Canada environmental enforcement officer and conservation officers from the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) responded to a report of a liquid manure spill in Irishtown, PEI. Officers collected water samples and dead Brook Trout from the affected watershed where the liquid manure was deposited. The water samples were analyzed and the elevated ammonia concentrations, indicating high pH levels, were determined to be acutely lethal and deleterious to fish as defined under the Fisheries Act. The dead fish smelled strongly of manure and a necropsy revealed that the fish had been healthy until the incident.

A joint investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada officers and PEI conservation officers determined that the spill had resulted from a rupture of a recently installed transfer hose intended to transfer liquid manure over a long distance. Nobra Holsteins Inc. did not exercise due diligence and failed to take all reasonable steps to avoid this offence. It was discovered that the system was not properly installed prior to its use, that it was not properly inspected prior to pumping liquid manure, and that the transfer hose was installed in a high-risk area on Prince Edward Island Government property without proper approval.

The spill killed 530 Brook Trout in a 2,459-metre section of the tributary, forced the closure of shellfish harvesting areas from June until the end of September 2020, and halted recreational activities in the area until December 2021. Restocking the affected waterway cost nearly $6,000.

As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. The Registry contains information on convictions of corporations registered for offences committed under certain federal environmental laws.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment.

Media Relations

Environment and Climate Change Canada

819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)

media@ec.gc.ca

Canada – Health Research Training Platforms

Mar 31, 2022 | International

Backgrounder

As the pandemic has shown, Canada relies on its scientists to help us respond to and recover from health emergencies and uncover the scientific evidence we need to tackle other health challenges. That is why it is critical that we invest in the next generation of Canada’s health researchers.

As the pandemic has shown, Canada relies on its scientists to help us respond to and recover from health emergencies and uncover the scientific evidence we need to tackle other health challenges. That is why it is critical that we invest in the next generation of Canada’s health researchers.

To support the health research leaders of tomorrow, the Government of Canada and its partners are investing $31.1M over six years to support 13 new Health Research Training Platforms (HRTP), a pilot program that will embed early career researchers and trainees in collaborative health research teams with the goal of increasing their career prospects and building Canadian health research capacity. The funding as well as in-kind support is being provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the B.C. Women’s Health Foundation, Egale Canada, Mitacs, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Through HRTP, participants will conduct research while receiving extensive mentorship and training that goes beyond what standard research training programs usually offer, covering academic, science policy, and professional development skills, such as grant writing, project management, science communication, interdisciplinary research, open science, and knowledge mobilization, among other areas. Participants will also be trained in the science of conducting diverse and inclusive research, such as respecting Indigenous Ways of Knowing, incorporating sex- and gender-based considerations in research and recognizing unconscious bias.

This investment helps fill a gap in the career development opportunities available to trainees and early career researchers. Participants will develop skills that will increase their employability and set them up for success in careers that span academia and beyond. As a pilot program, CIHR plans to take the lessons learned into consideration for future enhancements to its capacity development activities.

Funded Health Research Training Platforms

Nominated Principal Investigator
Platform Name
Total Funding

Nicole Letourneau


University of Calgary
Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA): Health and Social Services Research Training Platform for System and Population Transformations in Girls’ and Women’s Health
$2,399,478

Amy Metcalfe


University of Calgary
GROWW (Guiding interdisciplinary Research On cis- and trans-gender Women’s and girls health and Wellbeing)
$2,400,000

Rebecca Pillai Riddell


York University
DIVERT Mental Health: The Digital, Inclusive, Virtual, and Equitable Research Training in Mental Health Platform
$2,387,582

Susan Samuel


University of Calgary
Empowering Next-generation Researchers in perinatal and Child Health (ENRICH)
$2,400,000

Dominique Piquette


Sunnybrook Research Institute
The Life-Threatening Illness National Group (LifTING) Research Training Platform: Spanning Boundaries Between Research and Care
$2,399,711

Robert Alexander University of Alberta
Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and Training Program 2.0
$2,399,987

Nicola Jones


Hospital for Sick Children
Training Researchers In the Next generation in Gastroenterology and Liver (TRIANGLE)
$2,399,999

Andre Tchernof Universite Laval
Training platform in diabetes, obesity and cardiometabolic health
$2,400,000

Alex Mihailidis University of Toronto
Early Professionals, Inspired Careers in AgeTech (EPIC-AT) Health Research Training Program
$2,399,754

Laura Rosella University of Toronto
Artificial Intelligence for Public Health (AI4PH) Training Platform
$2,394,218

Daniel Grace University of Toronto
2SLGBTQ+ Health Hub
$2,387,018

Anick Berard


CHU Sainte-Justine
The CAnadian Mother-ChIld COLlaborative Training Platform – The CAMCCO-L Training Platform
$2,400,000

Eric Smith


University of Calgary
Health Research Training to Address Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Decline: the Vascular Training (VAST) Platform
$2,380,292

Canada – Canada and the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society will make an announcement on support for a new cultural centre

Mar 31, 2022 | International

Please be advised that the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society will announce support for the construction of a new cultural centre.

108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia –  Please be advised that the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society will announce support for the construction of a new cultural centre.

A brief media availability will be held following the announcement.

Date:  March 31st, 2022

Time: 1:00 PM PST

Where:

108 Heritage Site,

4690 Telqua Dr,

108 Mile Ranch, BC

Justine Leblanc

Press Secretary

Office of the Honourable Marc Miller

Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

justine.leblanc@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Tate & Lyle to acquire leading dietary fibre business in China

Mar 31, 2022 | Business

London, UK – WEBWIRE –



This Announcement Relates to the Disclosure of Information That Qualified or May Have Qualified as Inside Information Within the Meaning of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as It Forms Part of Domestic Law in the United Kingdom by Virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018


Please read full release here


Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire Quantum Hi-Tech (Guangdong) Biological Co., Ltd (Quantum), a leading prebiotic dietary fibre business in China from ChemPartner Pharmatech Co., Ltd (ChemPartner) for a total consideration of US$237 million.


Key highlights:

  • Fully aligned to strategy to become growth-focused food and beverage solutions business
  • Strengthens position as a leading global player in fast-growing global dietary fibres market
  • Adds new, speciality and complementary products to portfolio
  • Brings strong R&D expertise with proprietary manufacturing processes and technologies
  • Strengthens fortification platform and enhances integrated solutions capabilities
  • Significantly extends presence and customer offering in China and Asia
  • Expected to be accretive to revenue growth and EBITDA margin in first year of ownership
  • Completion expected in the second quarter of 2022 calendar year.


Quantum engages in the research, development, production and sale of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). Together, FOS (from sucrose) and GOS (from milk sugar/lactose) represent around 25%2 of the global dietary fibres market which is forecast to grow at around 6% per annum3. In China, which currently represents the majority of Quantum’s sales, the FOS and GOS market is forecast to grow at around 10% per annum3.


The acquisition of Quantum significantly strengthens Tate & Lyle’s position as a leading global player in dietary fibres, bringing a high-quality portfolio of speciality fibres, strong R&D capabilities and proprietary manufacturing processes and technologies. The acquisition expands Tate & Lyle’s ability to provide added-fibre solutions for its customers across a range of categories including dairy, beverages, bakery and nutrition (including infant nutrition), and to meet growing consumer interest in gut health. It also significantly expands Tate & Lyle’s presence in China and Asia, and extends its capabilities to create solutions across food and drink utilising its leading speciality ingredient portfolio.


The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of ChemPartner, a public company listed in China, of which Quantum is a wholly-owned subsidiary. At completion, consideration4 will be paid in cash for 100% of the equity interests in Quantum. For the 11 months ended 30 November 2021, Quantum generated revenue of US$46 million and EBITDA of US$14 million5. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to revenue growth and EBITDA margin for Tate & Lyle in the first year of ownership.


Quantum produces its range of FOS and GOS fibres at its production site in Guangdong Province, Southern China. The management team of Quantum will join Tate & Lyle at completion. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in the second quarter of calendar year 2022.


Nick Hampton, Chief Executive at Tate & Lyle, said:

“We are delighted to announce the agreement to acquire Quantum, a leader in prebiotic dietary fibres and a business recognised for its high-quality ingredients and solutions. This acquisition significantly strengthens our fortification capabilities and expands our customer offering in key food and drink categories. FOS and GOS are highly complementary to our existing fibre portfolio and will enable us to offer a broader range of solutions to our customers. The acquisition is also very much in line with our purpose to support healthy living by improving gut health, and driving sugar and calorie reduction and fibre fortification for consumers across the world.”


Mr. Zeng Xianwei, Chairman of the Board of ChemPartner, said:

“We are proud of the Quantum business we have built over the last 20 years, providing high-quality products to support healthier living for people across China and beyond. Tate & Lyle, with its global customer reach, strong focus on R&D, and strong fibre portfolio, is the ideal company to take Quantum on the next stage of its development. I wish them and the management team at Quantum success in the future.”


Notes to Editors


1. Tate & Lyle already offers a broad selection of soluble fibre solutions, such as its PROMITOR® Soluble Fibre and STALITE® Polydextrose, with distinctive benefits for many food and beverage categories. These enable sugar and calorie reduction as well as fibre fortification, helping to support healthier lifestyles and provide nutritional benefits, while maintaining great taste.

2. Company analysis from sources including Maia Research Global Short Chain Fructo-oligosaccharides Market Research Report 2021

3. Volume growth (2021 – 2026); Company analysis including Maia Research Global Short Chain Fructo-oligosaccharides Market Research Report 2021

4. Consideration is on a cash-free, debt-free basis, and subject to customary working capital adjustments

5. Depreciation and amortisation charges together for the 11 months ended 30 November 2021 were US$2 million

6. As at 30 November 2021, the gross assets of Quantum were US$41 million.

7. On a pro forma 12 months basis, calculated by extrapolating the financial information for the 11 months to 30 November 2021, Quantum has annual revenue of US$50 million and EBITDA of US$15 million.


Click here for our press image gallery


About Tate & Lyle: 

Tate & Lyle PLC is a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions. Supported by our 160-year history of ingredient innovation, we partner with customers to provide consumers with healthier and tastier choices when they eat and drink. We are proud that millions of people around the world consume products containing our ingredients every day.


Through our expertise in sweetening, mouthfeel and fibre fortification, our Food & Beverage Solutions business develops solutions which reduce sugar, calories and fat, add fibre, and provide texture and stability in categories including beverages, dairy, bakery, soups, sauces and dressings. Our Primary Products business produces nutritive sweeteners, industrial starches used in paper and packaging, acidulants and products used for animal nutrition.


We have around 4,400 employees working in more than 60 locations across 30 countries. Tate & Lyle’s purpose is Improving Lives for Generations and through our purpose we believe we can successfully grow our business and have a positive impact on society. We live our purpose in three ways, by supporting healthy living, building thriving communities and caring for our planet.


Tate & Lyle is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol TATE.L. American Depositary Receipts trade under TATYY. In the year to 31 March 2021, Tate & Lyle sales totalled £2.8 billion. For more information, please visit https://www.tateandlyle.com or follow Tate & Lyle on Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook.

Christie’s Hong Kong Chinese Paintings Department Presents Exemplary Works from The Classical Period

Mar 31, 2022 | Business

HONG KONG – WEBWIRE –



This spring, Christie’s is delighted to offer an outstanding collection of coveted masterpieces in the Fine Chinese Classical Paintings And Calligraphy sale on 28 May. These masterworks represent pivotal moments in Chinese art history.


The leading highlight of the season is the magnificent Washing Horses by Zhao Mengfu as catalogued in Shiqu Baoji (Top). One of the best known horse painters in ancient China, Zhao Mengfu depicted steeds individually and in large numbers. Zhao’s horse paintings derived from studying works by the Tang master Han Gan (706-783) and the Song master Li Gonglin (1049-1106), not only their techniques of outlining and colouring the animal’s forms but also to depict their spirit.


One of the thirty-eight beloved paintings and calligraphy collected by Hongli (1711-1799)―the crowned prince who later became Emperor Qianlong (r. 1735–1796)―Washing Horses by Zhao Mengfu as catalogued in Shiqu Baoji is a rare and important painting still in private hands. A few months before his ascension to the throne, Hongli inscribed a long poem, signed, and pressed three of his seals in the frontispiece of the handscroll. In 1744, Emperor Qianlong ordered the compilation of Shiqu Baoji to record paintings and calligraphy in the Qing Imperial collection, and Washing Horses was detailed in Chapter thirty-four.


With exquisite and well-preserved imperial accessories of silk and brocade wraps and a carved jade clasp, Washing Horses entered Fujita Museum’s collection in Japan in the early 20th Century. In March 2017 it was sold at Christie’s New York in the sensational Important Chinese Art from the Fujita Museum sale. Christie’s is honoured to present Washing Horses again this May in Hong Kong.


Kim Yu, International Specialist Head of Chinese Paintings Department, commented: “We are honoured to present such a sensational masterpiece with extremely strong provenance, a rarity in the auction market. The exquisite craftsmanship of the accompanied jade toggle and brocade wrap further enhances the value of this precious work. We look forward to welcoming global art lovers and collectors to savour the exceptional Chinese paintings and calligraphy this May.”


NOTES 


Preview:


Hong Kong | 1 – 4 April | Christie’s Galleries, 22/F, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central


Beijing | April/May (TBC) | Christie’s Beijing Art Space, 1/F, Tower 1, 82 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing


Shanghai | April/May (TBC) | 4/F, BUND ONE, No.1 Zhongshan Dong Yi Road Shanghai 200002, China


Taipei | 7 – 8 May | Marriott Taipei, No. 199 Lequn 2nd Road, ZhongShan District, Taipei


Hong Kong | 22 – 27 May | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No. 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong


Auction:


Fine Chinese Classical Paintings and Calligraphy


Date : 28 May 2022


Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings


Date : 29 May 2022


Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No. 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong


About Christie’s


Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business. Renowned and trusted for its expert live and online auctions, as well as its bespoke private sales, Christie’s offers a full portfolio of global services to its clients, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s has a physical presence in 46 countries, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. It also is the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai).


Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. In recent years, Christie’s has achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction (Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvador Mundi, 2017), for a single collection sale (the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller, 2018), and for a work by a living artist (Jeff Koons’ Rabbit, 2019).


Christie’s Private Sales offers a seamless service for buying and selling art, jewellery and watches outside of the auction calendar, working exclusively with Christie’s specialists at a client’s individual pace.


Recent innovations at Christie’s include the groundbreaking sale of the first NFT for a digital work of art ever offered at a major auction house (Beeple’s Everydays, March 2021), with the unprecedented acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie’s also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the business of art, including the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, buy-now channels, and hybrid sales formats. 


Christie’s is dedicated to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide, including achieving sustainability through net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and actively using its platform in the art world to amplify under-represented voices and support positive change.