Fisheries and Land Resources
May 11, 2017
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Continue Work Towards the Next Agricultural Policy Framework
Canada's federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met yesterday to discuss the path forward to developing the next agricultural policy framework, which will help Canadian farmers and food processors grow their businesses. Ministers are committed to continued support to the agricultural sector and will reconvene in July to ensure work is on track to launch the next framework on April 1, 2018.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources for Newfoundland and Labrador. FPT Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing the next framework and discussed the next suite of programs and services for the sector, including Business Risk Management programs. This work builds on the key priorities outlined in the Calgary Statement
which was issued by FPT Ministers in July 2016. FPT governments have been consulting with a wide range of stakeholders, including producers, processors, indigenous communities, women, youth, and small and emerging sectors.
The importance of trade and market development was also discussed by ministers. Canada and the United States have a long-standing history of cooperation and remain each other’s number one trading partner for agricultural products. This mutually beneficial and highly integrated trading arrangement supports millions of middle class jobs on both sides of the border, and FPT governments will continue to foster this strong relationship. Ministers also committed to preserve the integrity of the supply management system.
FPT Ministers emphasized the importance of agriculture and agri-food to the Canadian economy. The 2017 federal budget outlines the Government of Canada’s plan to support the agricultural sector and underscores the importance of the next framework which will help define and drive the future of agriculture across the country.
Quotes
“Together with the provinces and territories, the Government of Canada remains committed to developing innovative programs and services to help ensure agriculture continues to be a leading growth sector of Canada’s economy. Our strong agricultural sector will help meet the world’s growing demand for high-quality, sustainable food and help us grow our middle class.”
Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Government of Canada
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture industry plays a vital role in the province’s economy. The growth of our sector will be key to helping Canada achieve its national priorities. Recognizing there are tremendous opportunities for the future, we continue to work closely with our local industry, our federal and provincial counterparts to advocate for programs that will meet the needs of our farmers, producers and consumers.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
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Learn more
Calgary Statement - 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
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL
and @FLR_GovNL
Media contacts
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059
Connie Boland
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6409
connieboland@gov.nl.ca
Backgrounder
Overview of Growing Forward 2
The current agricultural framework, Growing Forward 2 (GF2), is a $3 billion investment for strategic initiatives over five years (2013-18) by FPT governments in programming to support innovation, competitiveness and market development.
The GF2 FPT Business Risk Management suite of programs are demand-driven, and to date, have provided $5.7 billion in support to help producers address risks that are beyond their capacity to manage and that threaten the viability of their farms.
FPT Ministers issued the Calgary Statement, which outlines the key priorities for the next policy framework, in July 2016.
Canada’s agriculture and food industry is a key driver of the Canadian economy and a high-performing sector in today’s global marketplace, contributing over $100 billion annually to the GDP and employing one out of every eight Canadians.
2017 05 11 10:20 a.m.