Three ag ministers traveled to Mexico with their federal counterpart
Farms.com is again scouring social media and online activity to see what Canada’s ministers of agriculture are doing to support farmers and the industry overall.
Beginning with federal Minister Heath MacDonald, he and some of his provincial counterparts recently returned from four days of meetings in Mexico.
Alberta Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, and Ontario Agriculture Minister Trevor Jones participated in the meetings as well.
“Discussions involved how both countries can share new ideas, support innovation, and align practical rules that keep farmers competitive and sustainable,” Sigurdson said in an Oct. 18 post on X.
“We discussed strong support for the continuation of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, as it reduces trade barriers between our nations,” Harrison said on Oct. 17.
“We will continue to protect our food security by supporting innovation, trade, and the hardworking people who bring safe, high-quality products from farm to table,” Jones said in an Oct. 20 social media post.
While there, Minister MacDonald participated in the official launch of Canadian beef products in 42 Costco stores in Mexico.
In B.C., Agriculture Minister Lana Popham and one of her cabinet colleagues announced the planned construction of a new facility.
Popham and Health Minister Josie Osborne announced $496 million in funding to build a new plant and animal health centre next to the University of Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus.
“This new centre will help producers prevent and respond to disease threats, protect our food supply and support public health,” B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said in a statement. “This is a forward-looking investment that will strengthen B.C.’s agriculture sector and safeguard food security for generations to come."
In Manitoba, Minister Ron Kostyshyn recently met with an industry group.
On its X account, the Manitoba Forage Seed Association said its reps met with the minister and the deputy minister.
“MFSA will always be advocating for the forage seed industry,” the Oct. 16 post says. “Thanks again Minister Kostyshyn and hope to talk again in January.”