FPT Ag Ministers discussed a number of key issues during their annual conference including the need to improve producer programs

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers spent time talking about ways to improve the Business Risk Management programs during their annual conference last week in Whitehorse.

A press release from the event noted that FPT Ministers of Agriculture discussed several areas of interest for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. 

The meeting focused on work to advance the resilience and competitiveness of the sector and strengthen the food supply chain. Ministers acknowledged challenges facing many producers in the sector, such as operational costs, labour shortages and potential disruptions. Ministers spoke of the need to continue working across orders of government, and listen to the concerns stakeholders bring forward, to support hard-working Canadian producers and processors. The Federal release can be found here.

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay says one of the programs they discussed was the Business Risk Management's AgriRecovery program.

"When they apply, it's too long a period of time before they received the funding. Quite simply, when they have a problem agricultural sector, whether you're farmer or rancher in this country, when you have a problem, you need the money. So what we're trying to do is to make sure ... we have to do it properly there's guidelines to be taken but ... we want to make sure we get the money into the pockets of the farmers and ranchers quicker than we have been. We're we're working together to see that that happens."

John Streiker is the Yukon's Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources and hosted the 2024 Annual Conference.

He spoke on behalf of the other Ministers noting they want to say a program that is not only timely, but predictable.

"We don't think it's productive across the country to have a program have to fire up and be specialized each time. We're looking for something that will be more predictable across the board.

Ministers also committed to improving BRM programs and strengthening the support available to address recurrent and emerging risks. 

They also discussed potential adjustments to AgriStability for livestock and agreed to decide on potential improvements at their next meeting.

During the meeting, it was announced that all five major retailers in Canada ( Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Walmart and Costco) had agreed to sign on to the voluntary Grocery Code of Conduct.

MacAulay says it will bring more fairness, transparency and predictability. 

"Together, we agree to support the work of Canada's first sector Code of  Conduct Adjudication Office. This includes a short-term, one-time funding proposed by industry of $1.2 million."

MacAulay says they'll continue working with them on the next steps and monitoring their progress moving forward very carefully.