New agricultural partnership includes $500 million in funding

The Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture announced the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership following their Annual Meeting. This five-year agreement, in principle, will see $500 million in new funds, increasing the cost-shared portion of funding by 25 percent.

Ministers agreed to improve Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, with a raise to the AgriStability compensation rate from 70 to 80 percent – something the beef industry has been advocating for since 2021. The implementation of new measures to the suite of BRM programs will make them more timely, equitable and easy to understand.

Under the cost-sharing portion, $250 million was committed to the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program to support ecological goods and services provided by the agriculture sector.

Other highlights of the new agreement include:

• stronger reduction in greenhouse gas emissions targets,
• increasing sector competitiveness, revenue and exports, and
• increased participation of Indigenous Peoples, women and youth.

“The path forward leverages regional strengths and diversity to rise to the climate change challenge, support Canadian producers, capture new markets and meet the expectations of consumers at home and abroad. Our discussions this week, and plans for the future, will build off the great work farmers and processors already do. Our ambitious vision, collaborative spirit, and future additional investments will help the sector go even further.”

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Ministers have committed to collaborating with producers throughout the partnership to ensure they have BRM programs they can rely on when faced with extraordinary situations. There will be emphasis on measuring investment results.

Once approved, this agreement will set a path forward to advance the five priorities agreed to in The Guelph Statement.

Nous avons une entente! / We have an agreement!#AgFPT22 pic.twitter.com/r8JT6ag6Wj

— Marie-Claude Bibeau (@mclaudebibeau) July 22, 2022

I'm proud to share that Alberta, the federal government, and Agriculture Ministers from across the country have reached an agreement on the next five-year Canadian ag policy framework.

Thank you to all my colleagues for helping deliver a better deal for our producers. pic.twitter.com/QeXHnDk99S

— Nate Horner (@NateHornerAB) July 22, 2022

Today, federal, provincial & territorial #CdnAg Ministers agreed on shared commitments for the Next Agricultural Policy Framework.

We have an ambitious plan to advance sustainable growth & the competitiveness of our agriculture & agri-food sector.

See my statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/GSD7glTRIJ

— Marie-Claude Bibeau (@mclaudebibeau) July 22, 2022

The Canadian Cattle Association welcomed the announcement in a statement available here.