Today’s Sprout is brought to you by Egg Farmers of Canada. We work hard to keep the “eh!” in eggs with fresh, local, high-quality food from our families to yours through the system of supply management.

Good morning and Happy National Fritters Day!

Did you know this popular treat dates back at least to 1665? Samuel Pepys noted in his celebrated diary that he would be devouring some fritters before Lent. Who knew?

Now, here’s today’s agriculture news.

The Lead:

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says her government’s controversial farm bill will pass on time, despite ongoing opposition from farmers and ranchers.

Speaking to reporters on a conference call Tuesday, Notley said Bill 6 — which would make Workers Compensation Board and Occupational Health and Safety Standards mandatory on Alberta farms and ranches — will come into force despite miscommunications from government officials. The Canadian Press explains.

However, the NDP government did say Tuesday that it will amend the bill for “greater clarity.” The Manitoba Co-operator has that story.

In Canada:

A borough in Montreal wants to limit its residents’ access to fast food as a way of encouraging healthy living. As CTV News reports, the community has proposed a bylaw to prevent the construction of new fast food restaurants bordering major traffic arteries. Existing restaurants would not be affected.

Internationally:

Turkey is looking for non-Russian sources of grain after a dispute between the two nations over the shooting down of a Russian warplane has placed a question mark over future deliveries and put new deals on hold. Reuters explains.

U.S. Secretary Tom Vilsack says differences between the United States and the European Union over issues such as genetically modified crops and hormone-treated beef could scupper a free trade deal between the two parties. Reuters has that story.

Also from Reuters: Montana mulls restoration of bison from Yellowstone herds.

New ethanol legislation in Australia is being seen as a big win for the country’s sugar and grain industries. As ABC Rural reports, Australia’s biggest sugar milling company, Wilmar, says the new legislation boosts the chances of bioethanol becoming a major contributor to Queensland’s economy.

Noteworthy:

Increases expected in StatsCan canola, wheat estimates (The Western Producer)

Demand for agriculture loans surges amid low crop, cattle prices that have slashed farm income ( The Associated Press)

How ‘organic’ agriculture evolved from marketing tool to evil empire (Forbes)

Hunt 4 Hunger stocks Saskatoon Food Bank freezers ahead of holidays (Saskatoon StarPheonix)

Buying groceries a long trek for family in Winnipeg food desert (CBC News)

Airline food rankings: Who’s got low-calorie fare? (The Montreal Gazette)

The Kicker:

Have a foodie or an aspiring chef on your Christmas gift list? The Guardian has compiled a list of the top food books of 2015.

Until tomorrow.