Industry is voicing concern over what these mean for Canadian ag
Canada’s ag sector is expressing concern over the full scope of cuts coming to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).
“These staffing cuts, and related impacts at AAFC research stations, represent a tremendous loss for Canadian agriculture,” Jocelyn Velestuk, chair of the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition, said in a Jan. 23 statement.
Over the course of 12 months AAFC will close seven research sites across the country:
- Nappan Research Farm in Nova Scotia
- Quebec Research and Development Centre
- Guelph Research and Development Centre
- Portage la Prairie Research Farm in Manitoba
- Scott Research Farm in Saskatchewan
- Indian Head Research Farm in Saskatchewan
- Lacombe Research and Development Centre in Alberta
Closing these sites along with eliminating 665 positions are AAFC’s way of supporting the prime minister’s goal of reducing overall spending by 15 per cent over three years.
Some groups feel now isn’t the time for cuts.
Competitors like Australia and the U.S. provide billions of dollars in ag research annually.
Canada should be increasing its commitments to ag research. Any opposite action indicates the federal government doesn’t view agriculture as an important economic driver.
"You cannot call agriculture a strategic sector while firing the scientists who sustain it," said Aaron Stein, executive director of the Alberta Federation of Agriculture (AFA). "If this government truly believes agriculture is an economic powerhouse, it is now actively disabling that engine."
In addition, the AFA says, there’s been no justification for the cuts outside of saving money.
The cuts will be “disastrous” for Canada, the National Farmers Union says.
Ag organizations like the Western Grains Research Foundation invest checkoff dollars into research that supports farmers.
Canada needs to do more for ag, the NFU says.
The organization “is calling for not only a reversal of these cuts, but re-investment in public agricultural research,” the organization said. “In a world increasingly fraught with uncertainty, rebuilding our capacity for public-interest agricultural research will provide Canada with the strategic autonomy to deliver security and confidence into the future.”
The AAFC cuts are also receiving political criticism.
Given the announcement of these cuts came after the prime minister told the World Economic Forum a country that can’t feed, fuel, or defend itself has few options, it shows Liberals don’t understand agriculture, said John Barlow, the Conservative agriculture critic.
“Agricultural research sites play a vital role in advancing innovation, improving productivity, protecting plant and animal health and helping farmers adapt when necessary,” he said in a press release. “Shutting them down weakens Canada’s agricultural competitiveness and reduces the support available to producers at a time of rising costs and increasing risk.
“These closures reflect a broader and troubling pattern: Liberals choosing lobbyists over lab coats, consultants over scientists and ideological agendas over the realities of agriculture.”
Farms.com has contacted Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald for his message to Canadian farmers concerned with the cuts, and how the government plans to mitigate the impacts of the research site closures.