Canada's federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met today to discuss the path forward to developing the next agricultural policy framework, which will help Canadian farmers and food processors grow their businesses. Ministers* are committed to continued support to the agricultural sector and will reconvene in July to ensure work is on track to launch the next framework on April 1, 2018.
The meeting today was co-chaired by Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Steve Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources. FPT Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing the next framework and discussed the next suite of programs and services for the sector, including Business Risk Management programs. This work builds on the key priorities outlined in the Calgary Statement which was issued by FPT Ministers in July 2016. FPT governments have been consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including producers, processors, indigenous communities, women, youth, and small and emerging sectors.
The importance of trade and market development were also discussed by Ministers. Canada and the United States have a long-standing history of cooperation and remain each other’s number one trading partner for agricultural products. This mutually beneficial and highly integrated trading arrangement supports millions of middle class jobs on both sides of the border, and FPT governments will continue to foster this strong relationship. Ministers also committed to preserve the integrity of the supply management system.
FPT Ministers emphasized the importance of agriculture and agri-food to the Canadian economy. The 2017 federal budget outlines the Government of Canada’s plan to support the agricultural sector and underscores the importance of the next framework which will help define and drive the future of agriculture across the country.
Source : Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada