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Minister Bibeau participating in National Supply Chain Summit

Minister Bibeau participating in National Supply Chain Summit

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is hosting the summit

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canada’s federal minister of agriculture will participate in upcoming discussions about Canada’s supply chain.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, along with François-Philippe Chapagne, Canada’s minister of innovation science and industry, and Mary Ng, the federal minister of trade, will take part in the National Supply Chain Summit on Jan. 31.

“I recognize that all supply chains are facing challenging times, including those for agriculture and food,” she told Farms.com in an emailed statement. “This Summit will provide an opportunity to reflect on current challenges and discuss potential solutions to make sure that supply chains are strong and resilient over the long term.

“As one of the federal Ministers at the Summit, I look forward to meeting with key stakeholders at the Summit and ensuring that the important perspectives of the agriculture and food sector are highlighted in the Government’s overall approach.”

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced the summit in December and will host the event.

“The National Summit will play a critical role in helping to ensure Canadians throughout the country have better access to essential goods without adding an increased burden of cost,” he said in a December statement. “Through collaboration with industry partners, we have an opportunity to address constraints in our supply chains that will ensure greater reliability and efficiency.”

The pandemic has affected Canada’s food supply chain.

About 70 per cent of U.S. food imports to Canada arrive by truck.

Vaccine mandates mean vaccinated U.S. truckers can enter Canada and unvaccinated truckers must meet pre-entry quarantine requirements. The U.S. has also mandates vaccines for truckers.

These are leading to delivery delays, increased food prices and Canadians posting pictures and videos on social media of bare shelves in grocery stores.

It’s up to the federal government to take the necessary action to ensure the supply chain is strong.

Vaccine mandates for truckers do the opposite, the Conservatives say.

"At a time when grocery stores are seeing shortages of basics like meats, fruits, and vegetables, your government's policy will undoubtedly cause unnecessary harm and food insecurity, and have the potential to make empty shelves the norm in grocery stores across Canada," six Conservative MPs wrote in a letter to Minister Alghabra, CBC reported.


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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