Newfoundland and Labrador first province to sign APF Implementation Agreement

Newfoundland and Labrador has become the first province to sign an agreement with the Government of Canada to begin implementation of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Rick Woodford and Gerry Byrne, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) announced the agreement today, calling it a "momentous day" for the province�s agriculture and agrifoods industry.

"This is truly an important occasion for producers in this province," Mr. Vanclief said. "We have been working very hard with Newfoundland and Labrador and all our provincial partners to get to this point in the process � implementation of new program features. I am very happy and proud that we have reached an agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador and I am confident we will be signing other implementation agreements with the remaining provinces soon."

Minister Woodford said he was very pleased to sign the implementation agreement with the federal government. He added that it will set the stage for a new and exciting chapter in agriculture enhancement and diversification in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The provincial government is committed to help strengthen and enhance our agrifoods industry, which is demonstrated in our participation in the five-year Agricultural Policy Framework and partnership with the federal government," said Minister Woodford. "We believe that programming under the new APF, which is valued at more than $32.4 million, will position our industry to capture new growth opportunities and build on its diversification and value-added activity. We are committed to ensuring our agriculture industry reaches its full potential and continues to play a major role in our rural economies."

"This is good news for farmers and the entire agriculture and agrifoods industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Byrne. "Newfoundland and Labrador has taken a truly important step toward a successful future as the first to sign an APF implementation agreement with the Government of Canada."

Implementation agreements govern the delivery of new programming under the five elements of the APF � business risk management, environment, food safety and quality, renewal and science and innovation. The agreements set out the programming that will be delivered, delivery mechanisms and which level of government will deliver them. In addition, the agreements list program costs and formalize such things as the management structures needed to oversee particular programs. Minister Woodford said that the implementation agreement will allow Newfoundland and Labrador to move forward in finalizing programming details and specific measures designed to meet the needs of its agriculture industry. He said because the provincial programs will be implemented under the five APF pillars, a cohesive policy approach to agriculture in Canada will be created, while also positioning Newfoundland and Labrador�s agriculture industry for a stronger and more prosperous future.

Mervin Wiseman, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, said the federation is very supportive of the new APF and looks forward to the benefits that will result from its implementation.

"The federation has been looking forward to this much anticipated Implementation Agreement. We believe the new agreement will bring a large measure of stability to the industry by providing a strategic approach through the APF�s five pillars. The amount of funding contained in the agreement represents a significant milestone for agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador."

The ministers agreed that with the implementation framework in place, the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture industry has taken a major step toward branding its industry as world leaders in food safety and quality, environmentally responsible production and innovative products.

The Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agrifoods industry employs more 4,000 people and is valued at more than $500 million to the provincial economy.

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Backgrounder

In June 2002, the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador signed a framework agreement on agriculture and agri-food in the 21st century. This agreement solidified the commitment of these governments to work together on developing and adjusting programs, services, and tools to help producers succeed today and tomorrow. It also identified the common goals they will pursue over the next five years.

The Canada�Newfoundland and Labrador Implementation Agreement spells out many of the concrete measures that both governments will undertake to deliver on their common goals. The measures will help producers strengthen their businesses, increase prosperity, build on their diversification and value-added activities, and meet the demands of consumers at home and abroad, and will ensure that Canadian agriculture continues to be a valuable contributor to the quality of life of all Canadians.

Food safety and food quality

• A food safety and food quality program will enhance food quality and safety systems across Canada. Initiatives under the program will support industry activities in the areas of on-farm food safety, post-farm food safety, traceability, and food quality. (Total investment: $180,000)
• Specific studies on food-borne illnesses will be conducted to support efforts to allow the tracing of food products throughout the food-production chain. This will make it easier to conduct effective recalls of products that are found to have pathogens or residues hazardous to human health. (Total investment: $120,000)

The environment

• Support will be provided to help producers with the development and implementation of environmental farm plans. These plans will help producers increase their understanding of the environment, assess the potential risks and benefits of their operations, and then identify measures to take action on their findings. An incentive program will also be established to help producers adopt the environmentally beneficial actions stemming from the plans more quickly. (Total investment: $480,000)
• A provincial environmental farm planning initiative will provide financial assistance for technical and logistical support related to developing on-farm plans and regional environmental scans. It will also support educational institutions that include beneficial management practices for agriculture in their environmental studies programs. (Total investment: $250,000)
• A soil resources initiative will provide technical and financial support to address environmental issues related to the province�s soil resources. (Total investment: $100,000)

Renewal

• A skills-development initiative will make it easier to identify the skills producers need, develop approaches to delivering training and prototypes to help producers acquire those skills, and provide advice to governments and educational institutions on the availability of trainers and consultants. (Total investment: $20,000)
• An agricultural enterprise program will offer farm operators or their spouses on-farm skills development and training, as well as other training and career counseling that could improve the profitability of the farm and increase family income by generating new business opportunities and employment. (Total investment: $250,000 )
• A Canadian farm business advisory service will provide producers with access to renewal programs and services. This network of advisors will offer business-management counseling and assistance to producers to help them make better business decisions, access capital, and make the most of opportunities stemming from advances in science and innovation. (Total investment: $650,000)
• A human resources development initiative will deliver learning opportunities that help farm managers enhance their management skills and evaluate new business opportunities. (Total investment: $110,000)
• A farm-succession planning initiative will support producers in developing and delivering farm-succession plans to help them successfully transfer their farm operations. (Total investment: $70,000)

Science and innovation

• The overarching program for science and innovation will focus on strategic development for science and innovation. This program will include a benchmark study on current levels of investment in science and innovation, a realignment action plan to make adjustments that increase the effectiveness of those investments, and a strategy to increase investment and returns in Canada�s bio-based economy. The program will also sponsor pilot projects with industry, the academic community, and research institutions to fill identified knowledge gaps. (Total investment: $50,000)

Business risk management

The implementation agreement commits Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador to delivering national programs on business risk management for producers. These governments are committing $30.1 million over five years to support these programs.

• The Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) program will be adjusted to more effectively stabilize producers� incomes (including severe drops), while remaining affordable and flexible.
• Crop insurance will be broadened to production insurance to better respond to the needs of today�s producers. This may include providing coverage for more commodities, increasing options for diverse farming operations, and developing innovative insurance tools based on new technology, such as satellite imagery.

2003 05 12                                       1:00 p.m.