By Bruce Cochrane.
Canada's Agriculture Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to developing programs that will ensure the agriculture sector remains on a solid footing.
Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Minister's met last week in Calgary to discuss plans for Canada's next Agricultural Policy Framework.
Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay says the ministers reached common ground on many key areas.
Lawrence MacAulay-Canada-Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food:
First we issued the Calgary Statement.
It outlines the key priorities of the next Agricultural Framework which is set to be launched in April, 2018.
Second we agreed on the importance of the provinces, territories and the federal government working together to make sure the agricultural sector remains on solid footing and third we renewed our commitment to work with stakeholders to ensure a strong and growing sector.
We want to make sure farmers and processors can continue to take advantage of the new global market opportunities which will help grow the Canadian economy and we know that a strong economy starts with a strong middle class.
Farmers and processors are reliant on a strong working relationship between governments to help them capture opportunities and respond to challenges that impact their bottom line.
Ministers talked about key issues that are vital to the sector's growth and future prosperity.
As we look ahead to the next Policy Framework governments are holding extensive consultations with stakeholders across the country.
MacAulay notes last month he met with a number of farm organizations at the National Consultation Meeting in Ottawa.
We've been hearing a lot of good ideas and great suggestions on how we can build on Growing Forward-2 and will now be consulting with stakeholders on priorities identified in the Calgary Statement.
Source: Farmscape