Ministers meet to discuss new agriculture policy framework
By Jennifer Jackson
In preparation for Canada’s next Agricultural Policy Framework, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met on May 10 to discuss future framework planning, according to a government release.
The FPT Ministers met in Ottawa to review framework priorities and to ensure developmental plans are on track for an April 1, 2018 launch.
Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, co-chaired the meeting with Steve Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources.
The FPT Ministers demonstrated their commitment to creating the future Agriculture Policy Framework by discussing future programs and services for the industry, according to the release. This discussion addressed Business Risk Management programming.
The ministers also discussed the importance of trade and market development for Canadian agriculture, specifically focusing on the relationship between the United States and Canada.
Lawrence MacAulay (@L_MacAulay) photo
Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. is long-standing and valuable to both countries. For this reason, FPT governments will continue to encourage and grow this relationship while also protecting the supply management system, according to the release.
“Together with the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada remains committed to developing innovative programs and services to help ensure agriculture continues to be a leading growth sector of Canada’s economy,” MacAulay said in the release. “Our strong agricultural sector will help meet the world’s growing demand for high-quality, sustainable food and help us grow our middle class.”
Much of the future programming will be built upon priorities outlined in the FPT Minister’s past Calgary Statement, released in July 2016.
Priority areas, as listed in the Calgary Statement, include markets and trade, science and research, risk management, climate change and sustainability, added value in agriculture and agri-food processing, and public trust.
Since the release of the Calgary Statement, FPT ministers and government have collected input from a variety of agricultural stakeholders, such as producers, youth and indigenous communities.
The federal government will financially help support the next Agriculture Policy Framework, as outlined in the 2017 federal budget.