On Agriculture Awareness Day, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler highlighted the importance of trust in our food system by focusing on the connections between consumers and farmers.
“Manitoba’s farmers understand the significant responsibility and expectations placed on them to grow crops and raise livestock in a way that is responsible, ethical and sustainable,” said Eichler. “Farmers are a trusted source of information about these issues and many people want to learn more. Agriculture Awareness Day is the perfect opportunity to encourage open conversation between farmers, consumers and the thousands of other Manitobans who are connected to our agriculture industry.”
Representatives from all provincial parties were invited to speak at the event. In addition, Brenda Bazylewski from Manitoba Egg Farmers spoke about the importance of public trust between consumers and the food system. Ben Fox, president, Manitoba Beef Producers, focused on how producers meet public expectations in their farming practices.
“Manitoba’s beef producers are proud of our people, proud of our practices and proud of our product,” said Fox. “We recognize that the public has questions about beef production and we welcome those questions. Our industry has a terrific story to tell and days like Agriculture Awareness Day are a great opportunity for us to share that story.”
Guests at today’s event at the Legislative Building also participated in a short survey challenge and tried to guess what Manitobans and Canadians think about public trust and agriculture, based on recent data collected by the Manitoba Consumer Monitor Food Panel and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity. The centre’s 2016 survey found Canadians view farmers as the most favourable source of information about food and farming.
In 2005, a unanimous all-party resolution was passed by the legislative assembly to create an annual Agriculture Awareness Day to promote greater awareness of the contributions agriculture makes to this province and the important role the agriculture industry plays as a key driver of the Manitoba economy. In 2014, The Farm and Food Awareness Act formalized this recognition in legislation, making Agriculture Awareness Day the third Tuesday in March.
Source : Manitoba Agriculture