By Alice McFarlane

Consultation process for agriculture programs begins today

Jun 3, 2021 | 12:17 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — The next policy framework for agriculture will be discussed over the next several months.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude announced the start of the virtual process from Ottawa this morning.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a $3 billion agreement between the federal government, provinces and territories that runs over three years. It provides financial support for agriculture programs and services. This includes several federal programs, as well as programs that are cost-shared between the three governments on a 60:40 basis. The current agreement ends Mar. 31, 2023.

Bibeau said there will be discussions with several groups.

“A large number of roundtables and consultations with stakeholders, regionally and with the different sectors, but obviously with farmers and food processors, but also with community groups, environmental groups and Canadians in general,” she said.

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Bibeau said the groups will need to set some goals.

“The consultation will first define what will be the policy statement that we will adopt at the federal, provincial and territorial (ministers) meeting in September,” Bibeau said.

Discussions will include a wide variety of stakeholders, according to Bibeau.

“We will make the effort to make sure we include women, youth, indigenous and other underrepresented groups as well in the consultation,” she said.

There will be ways for the public to be involved. Consultations will continue through the spring of 2022. Updates on the consultations, summaries of the feedback received, and opportunities to contribute can be found at the Next Agricultural Policy Framework throughout 2021 and 2022.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW