Provincial Ministers Discuss Farm Support and Trade

Boosting CFIA services, increasing slaughter capacity, and allowing trade for low-risk foods without federal licences were all discussed

When the federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met virtually on August 18 to discuss plans for building a stronger, more competitive agriculture sector in Canada, a major topic was business risk management (BRM) programs.  

Recognizing the pressures from uncertain trade conditions and climate challenges, Ministers agreed to key improvements for the AgriStability program in 2025. The compensation rate will rise from 80% to 90%, and the maximum payment limit will double from $3 million to $6 million. These changes aim to help farmers manage their risks better. 

From 2026, provinces and territories can choose a new inventory method for on-farm use products. Ministers will also seek approvals to include feed costs for rented pastures as allowable expenses in AgriStability by 2026. They will review progress on these updates in their annual meeting this September. 

Ministers also discussed ways to boost interprovincial food trade by removing trade barriers. They explored ideas like supporting small and medium food businesses with better CFIA services, increasing slaughter capacity in underserved regions, and allowing trade of certain low-risk foods without federal licences. Ongoing pilot projects on meat trade and slaughter are being fast-tracked to support these efforts. 

On international trade, Ministers agreed on the need for joint action to protect and grow market access. They talked about the federal Indo-Pacific Agriculture Office’s role and stressed the importance of high-level talks with China to improve trade ties and reduce tariffs on Canadian products. They also noted the importance of trade agreements and understanding the effects of tariffs on businesses. 

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our farmers, ranchers and food processors across the country, we’ve earned a reputation for producing the best products in the world. By working together across governments, we can continue to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our sector, drive economic growth, and help to ensure Canadian products continue to lead on quality, safety, and sustainability,” said The Honorable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. 

The next annual FPT Agriculture Ministers’ meeting will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from September 7 to 9, 2025. 

Photo Credit: Canada-Working-Together