News Release

SAINT ANDREWS (CNB) – Federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture met in Saint Andrews today to discuss the future prospects and economic potential of the Canadian agriculture and food sector.

“As a result of greater collaboration between governments and industry, farmers are capitalizing on new market opportunities and the demand for Canada's safe, healthy and nutritious food continues to grow,” said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Our governments will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we are creating the market conditions for Canadian farmers to grow and diversify their businesses and remain profitable.”

The ministers agreed, with the exception of Ontario, that the next policy framework, Growing Forward 2, must help the agriculture industry capitalize on emerging market opportunities in dynamic and innovative ways - supported by world-class research and development, a new generation of farmers, efficient regulatory systems, and modern infrastructure.

Building on the success and flexibility of the current policy approach, the ministers agreed to the principles outlined in the Saint Andrews Statement as a guide for officials in their collaboration with industry. The statement lays out the vision of the next policy framework as a modern, coherent and integrated approach for a progressive sector confronting the challenges of a fast-paced, competitive global economy. The full text of the statement is available on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website.

“The sectors in which Canada has a natural advantage, such as agriculture, hold tremendous potential through the adoption of innovative technologies,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp, one of the meetings co-chairs. “It is imperative that governments, industry and research partners expand their collaborative efforts to nurture a culture of successful innovation for greater profitability and sustainability across the sector.”

The ministers agreed that future growth will come from the sector’s ability to capitalize on the growing demand for world-class Canadian products. The sector accounts for about two million jobs that contribute to Canada’s position as the world’s fifth-largest exporter of agriculture and food products with nearly $35.5 billion in exports last year.

The ministers reiterated their positions on marketing mechanisms such as the Canadian Wheat Board and reaffirmed their support for supply management. They applauded a growing list of recent trade successes and recognized that market development and access will yield the greatest gains for Canadian producers and processors.

In terms of domestic markets, the group reviewed the results of the pilot projects launched in February to expand interprovincial trade in meat while maintaining Canada’s high level of food safety. They agreed to move quickly and to strengthen efforts to advance these pilots.

The group also reviewed the evolving flood situation which farmers are facing across Canada and pledged to continue working together to assess what further assistance is required. They acknowledged the progress being made on a national livestock traceability system due to the shared efforts of industry and governments to move it forward.

The next annual meeting for the group is in Whitehorse, Yukon, Sept. 12-14, 2012.

LINK:

●    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada