Minister Byrne reports on annual conference of agriculture ministers

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, joined his provincial and territorial colleagues last week in Prince Edward Island for the annual conference of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture.

During the meeting, Minister Byrne did have an opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with the new federal minister of agriculture, Andy Mitchell. Among the topics raised was the implementation of the Agriculture Policy Framework Agreement (APF) - the five-year cost-shared agreement between the federal and provincial governments valued at $32.5 million which was signed in 2003.

While Minister Byrne strongly supports the intent of the agreement to grow the agriculture industry in this province, he did raise with Minister Mitchell the need for greater flexibility in the delivery of programs in the types of projects which are funded under APF.

"Newfoundland and Labrador is at a different stage of development in the agrifoods industry and has a different range of opportunities than most other provinces," said Minister Byrne. "Programs under the APF must reflect this and I feel Minister Mitchell now has a full understanding of the uniqueness of the opportunities in this province."

On a national level, Minister Byrne emphasized the importance of supply management to the agrifoods sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and urged the federal government to vigorously defend the right of producers to choose to use this orderly marketing system in ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) talks regarding tariffs structure. Supply-managed commodities, which include milk, chicken and eggs, account for upwards of 75 per cent of farm cash receipts in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"It is critical to the agrifoods sector in this province that the current tariff structure on supply-managed commodities be maintained to ensure stability and growth in this sector," said Minister Byrne.

Minister Byrne also supported an extension to the current deposit requirement under the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization Program (CAIS) which provides income stabilization for farmers. The ministers agreed that the one-third deposit requirement will continue for 2004 and that the deadline by which deposits must be made be extended to March 31, 2005. The minister acknowledged concerns that are currently being expressed around the existing deposit option and supported a review of alternative approaches.

"I welcomed this opportunity to have an open and frank exchange with my federal and provincial colleagues on issues affecting the agriculture sector across the country," said Minister Byrne. "Significant progress was made on several issues facing the industry ensuring its long-term viability of the sector. Only by working together on key issues can individual provinces, and the country as a whole, realize the tremendous potential for growth in the agrifoods sector."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282 or (709) 685-4624

2004 09 28               3:50 p.m.