Agricultural Policy: Growing Forward 2 Launched [April 1, 2013]

Apr 01, 2013

Government of Canada’s GF2 Programs Focus’s on Innovation, Competitiveness and Market Development

Growing Forward 2 (GF2) Canada’s agricultural and agri-food sector five-year policy framework comes into effect April, 1, 2013. The GF2 is an investment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments amounting to $3 billion which mandates agricultural programs and services.

"The Harper Government remains focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. We are working with Canadian farmers to move the agriculture and agri-food industry forward to adapt, innovate and compete in markets at home and abroad," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Growing Forward 2 delivers what the sector needs to position Canadian farmers, producers and processors for growth and prosperity in the years ahead."

The GF2 policy framework focuses on three key components – innovation, completeness and market development. These priorities strive to ensure that Canadian farmers and agri-food processors have the conditions to innovate and capitalize on new market opportunities.

The federal government is in the midst negotiations with the provincial and territorial governments to finalize details on cost-shared programs. Canadian agriculture and agri-food industries account for 8.0% of the country’s total GDP.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.