Canadian Agricultural Partnership: Setting the foundation for our farmers and food processors

REGINA, Nov. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's hardworking farmers and food processors are the backbone of Canada's economy, particularly in rural communities, and ensure families across Canada, and around the world, have safe, high-quality food on their kitchen tables. Having identified agriculture and agri-food as a key growth sector, our Government is committed to supporting our farmers and food processors with strategic investments that expand growth and create well-paying middle class jobs.

In July 2017, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers of agriculture came to an agreement on the key elements of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion FPT investment for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector. This agreement will help the sector reach our Government's ambitious goal to grow Canada's agriculture and food exports to $75 billion by 2025.

Today, speaking at Agribition in Regina, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, announced the initiatives and priorities of the $1 billion federal investment under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which is set to launch on April 1, 2018.

Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, our Government is committing to targeted investments with a focus on the following priorities: growing trade and expanding markets; innovative and sustainable growth of the sector; and, supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector.

Six federal programs will support these priorities and ensure the sector's long-term prosperity: AgriMarketing, AgriCompetitiveness, AgriScience, AgriInnovate, AgriDiversity and AgriAssurance – see background for details.

The strategic investments under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will set a solid foundation for the future of Canada's farmers and food processors, and continue to help them grow, innovate and prosper.

Quote

"This is an exciting new chapter for agriculture in Canada. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership's federal initiatives show our Government's strong agenda for growth in agriculture and agri-food – one that will help build an even stronger, more innovative and sustainable sector. It will ensure Canadian farmers and food processors are well positioned to meet the world's growing demand for our high-quality products, while creating well-paying middle class jobs and delivering prosperity for communities across the country."
-       Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick Facts:

• Federal program details and application forms will be available in early 2018.
• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity.
• Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, changes to the Business Risk Management programs agreed to in July 2017, will come into effect for the 2018 program year. The existing program rules remain in effect for the 2016 and 2017 program years.
• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership federal initiatives were developed based on extensive consultations with producers, processors, indigenous communities, women, youth, and small and emerging sectors to fit the changing needs of the agricultural landscape.
• In 2016, Canada's agriculture and food exports set a new record of over $60 billion.
• Budget 2017 set an ambitious goal of growing Canada's agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025.
• Budget 2017 focused on agri-food as one of the top industries in our Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world leader in innovation, with a focus on expanding growth and creating good, well-paying jobs.

Associated Links

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership
• Canadian Agricultural Partnership - Business Risk Management Programs (effective April 2018)
• New Canadian Agricultural Partnership to Help Position Canada as a Leader in the Global Economy

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Backgrounder
Canadian Agricultural Partnership

Federal Priorities

Growing trade and expanding markets:

Canadian farmers and food processors export about half of their production by value. Improving market development and market access activities to address emerging needs of the sector, and of small and medium enterprises (SME), will help expand domestic and international markets and trading opportunities for the sector.

Innovative and sustainable growth of the sector:

Enhancing the competitiveness of the sector by advancing its science and innovation capacity, and adoption of innovative products and practices, with an emphasis on sustainable and clean growth. The Government will help support the resiliency and sustainability of the sector, helping farmers adapt to climate change, conserve water and soil resources, and grow their businesses to meet increasing global food demand sustainably.

Supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector:

Strengthening the sector by better reflecting the diversity of our communities, enhancing collaboration across different jurisdictions, securing and supporting public trust in the sector, and improving client services.

Federal Programs

AgriMarketing - Aims to increase and diversify exports to international markets and seize domestic market opportunities through industry-led promotional activities that differentiate Canadian products and producers, and leverage Canada's reputation for high quality and safe food. The program is for national industry associations and small and medium-sized enterprises.

AgriCompetitiveness - Supports the markets and trade priority by assisting industry-led efforts to help the agriculture and agri-food sector leverage, coordinate and build on existing capacity, enhance safety, adapt to changing commercial and regulatory environments, share best practices, and provide mentorship opportunities.

AgriScience - Designed to accelerate the pace of innovation by supporting pre-commercialization activities and investing in cutting-edge research to benefit the agricultural and agri-food sector. Within the Program there are two components: Clusters and Projects. Applications for the Clusters component are now being accepted. Industry groups interested in submitting an application are encouraged to call 613-759-1977 or email [email protected].

AgriInnovate - Will accelerate the commercialization and/or adoption of innovative agri-based products, technologies, processes or services. The program will support agribusinesses to get their innovations into the market, or to adopt leading edge technologies and processes.

AgriDiversity - Will strengthen the sector and build its capacity by helping diverse groups to take a greater leadership role, building the entrepreneurial capacity and business skills of under-represented groups, facilitating the sharing of industry experience, best practices and knowledge, help under-represented groups to manage transformation, and strengthen the sector by incorporating the views of a more diverse set of industry players.

AgriAssurance - Will enable industry to make meaningful and verifiable claims about the health and safety of Canadian agricultural products. It will also build industry capacity to increase public confidence in the food system, respond to market requirements and meet consumer demand. The program is for national industry associations and small and medium-sized enterprises.

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax

Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972; Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca