Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
July 25, 2016
Showcasing our Agriculture Industry
Province to Host Ministers, Deputy Ministers of Agriculture in 2017
For the first time since 2006, Canada's agriculture ministers and deputy ministers will experience Newfoundland and Labrador's legendary hospitality when the province hosts the federal, provincial, territorial agriculture conference in July 2017.
"This is a great opportunity for Newfoundland and Labrador, not only to discuss the future of the agriculture and agrifoods industry, but to showcase the industry's diversity. This is a chance for us to highlight for the other Canadian provinces the variety of foods that are grown and produced right here in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
Agriculture ministers from across the country meet face-to-face annually to talk about the issues facing the industry and to make decisions on how to address those issues. The 2016 conference, held in Calgary July 20-22, set the direction for the next agriculture framework. It also included the formal handing over of the provincial co-chair position to Newfoundland and Labrador. Colin Holloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, attended the meetings on behalf of Minister Mitchelmore.
The meetings were important in the development of Newfoundland and Labrador's emerging agriculture strategy. Discussions focused on:
- Increasing market access and development;
- Advancing investments in science;
- Innovation and research;
- The need for a strong science-based regulatory framework;
- Enhancing public trust;
- The continued importance of Business Risk Management programs and systems;
- Renewed emphasis on environmental sustainability; and
- Climate change.
Canada's federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture concluded the 2016 conference by issuing the Calgary Statement, which represents consensus among ministers regarding the key priorities that will guide engagement. Information on the statement is available at https://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/about-us/key-departmental-initiatives/developing-the-next-agricultural-policy-framework/calgary-statement-towards-the-next-policy-framework/?id=1468864509649#alt
QUICK FACTS:
- Canada's agriculture ministers and deputy ministers will meet in St. John's for the annual federal, provincial, territorial agriculture conference in July 2017. The event was last held in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2006.
- Agriculture ministers from across the country meet face-to-face annually to talk about the issues facing the industry and to make decisions on how to address those issues.
- The 2016 conference, held in Calgary July 20-22, set the direction for the next agriculture framework. It also included the formal handing over of the provincial co-chair position to Newfoundland and Labrador.
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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Forestry and Agrifoods Agency 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
2016 07 25 2:10 p.m.