Federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers wrapped up their annual conference in Guelph on Wednesday, reportedly making progress on a number of key issues, including improving the current suite of business risk management programs.
During the conference, the ministers also made progress on other key action areas that will help position the sector for economic recovery and sustainable growth, including labour, African swine fever, Animal Health Canada, trade and market access, regulatory priorities (including interprovincial trade and the Canadian Plant Health Council), retail fees, and mental health.
In terms of the business risk management programs, there was a consensus among the ministers to make them timely, equitable, and easy to understand, while supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of the ag sector.
Meanwhile, there was further agreement on the sustainable agriculture approach needed to help shape the next agricultural policy framework, which includes environmental, social and economic considerations in all priority areas.
The next agricultural policy framework will follow the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. The Partnership includes both federal programs, as well as those that are cost-shared between the federal (60%) and provincial/territorial (40%) governments.
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