By Bruce Cochrane.
Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister says there is a growing recognition among farmers, agriculture industry stakeholders and governments within Canada of the importance of maintaining the public's trust in Canada's food supply and those involved in its production and distribution.
Public Trust was among the topics discussed last month in Calgary when Canada's Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers gathered to discuss Canada's next Agriculture Policy Framework.
The Calgary statement, issued following the meeting, warns Canada's reputation can not be taken for granted as citizens and consumers are increasingly conscious of the environment, animal welfare and health and safety considerations related to agriculture agri-food products.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart says this issue has moved from one of obscurity to importance.
Lyle Stewart-Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister:
I brought this to the table in 2012 and it hadn't really been an issue there before but it now is.
I think most, if not all, the ministers have bought into the importance of this.
They've realized that there's a huge and growing gap between the attitudes of agricultural producers and non-producers in society who are the vast majority of the population and we have to narrow that gap.
We have to bring people up to speed as to what we're doing in agriculture and why we do it and the great benefits that it brings, not only econm0mically but environmentally and socially and so on.
That's universally accepted now as a very important part of what we do.
The ministers acknowledge, to continue to support competitiveness while meeting expectations, industry has to examine new and effective mechanisms to engage and respond to domestic and international consumers and citizens.
They indicate the next agriculture policy framework will examine how government programming can help reinforce public trust, support improved practices, support farmers' ability to respond to evolving demands and share the story of the importance of agriculture and the practices it uses.
Source: Farmscape