May 13, 2022 | International
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will hold a media callback to discuss the recent G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meetings in Stuttgart, Germany.
May 13, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will hold a media callback to discuss the recent G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meetings in Stuttgart, Germany.
Date
May 14, 2022
Time
9:15 a.m. (ET)
Participation details
Please contact the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Media Relations to obtain instructions to participate via video conference. [Participation is reserved for media only.]
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
May 1, 2022 | International
“This has been an unprecedented year for the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI) worldwide. Working together, we can prevent the spread of the disease and minimize the impact on poultry producers across Canada.
April 29, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
“This has been an unprecedented year for the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (HPAI) worldwide. Working together, we can prevent the spread of the disease and minimize the impact on poultry producers across Canada.
Today I had another meeting with stakeholders from the agricultural sector to discuss the state of affairs in commercial poultry farms and the impacts on the processing sector. They told me about the devastating effects of the disease on production, on the movement of animals, as well as on the import and export of their products and by‑products.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is working closely with poultry owners and producers to respond to HPAI across the country, prevent further spread and minimize impacts on industry and trade. Throughout these challenging times, producers, the CFIA staff and provincial and federal governments are working together to effectively respond to the outbreak and work towards recovery.
Where domestic birds are suspected of being infected with HPAI, the CFIA takes immediate action to control the disease. The typical response includes movement restrictions and quarantines, an investigation, the humane depopulation of impacted birds and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the infected premises. In addition, where depopulation and destruction of objects have been ordered, the CFIA compensates eligible owners.
It is important to remember that avian influenza does not pose any food safety risk. Canadian poultry products are safe to eat and continuing to buy them is the best way to support poultry producers and processors during this time when they are under great pressure.
This outbreak serves as a reminder to poultry producers to maintain strict biosecurity measures at all times to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. This extends to small producers who may only have a few backyard birds. They too should be changing their shoes when entering coops and keeping their birds indoors as much as possible. An outbreak in a small flock may result in control zones being established that will affect the entire poultry industry. In addition, small producers located in control zones must also have a permit to give away or sell their products. It is very important to know the signs of HPAI, and any suspected case should immediately be reported to the CFIA.
I know this is a particularly stressful time for Canada’s poultry producers. Detecting and responding to an outbreak can be emotionally exhausting. I remind everyone to call for help when they are experiencing a difficult mental health situation. Organizations such as “Do More Ag” and “Au cœur des familles agricoles” are familiar with the realities of farmers, women and men, and can offer assistance. Farm Credit Canada’s “Rooted in Strength” initiative lists several resources.
I want to thank Canada’s poultry producers for their perseverance and cooperation during this outbreak. Their vigilance is instrumental in supporting Canada’s response to HPAI. We will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders and farmers to minimize the impacts and support them with recovery measures.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
Mar 13, 2022 | International
Canada’s supply management system is a model of stability which provides a fair price for farmers, stability for processors, and safe, high quality products for Canadians. This system ensures the viability of family farms and is the backbone of rural communities across the country.
March 9, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Canada’s supply management system is a model of stability which provides a fair price for farmers, stability for processors, and safe, high quality products for Canadians. This system ensures the viability of family farms and is the backbone of rural communities across the country.
Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the launch of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, worth $292.5 million, to help processors of supply-managed commodities increase their competitiveness and resilience in the face of evolving markets. The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to support processors in these sectors to address the impacts of international trade agreements.
Through this program, processors of supply-managed commodities will have access to funding to improve their productivity and efficiency through investments in new automated equipment and technology. The Fund leverages private investment in processing plants to accelerate adoption of automation to lower processing costs, address labour shortages and enhance product quality.
Launching today, the two-step application process includes first submitting a Project Summary Form, which will help to determine a project’s eligibility and alignment with program criteria and priorities. Those successful at this stage will be invited to submit a full application.
Work is underway with supply-managed sectors to determine full and fair compensation for the impacts of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement within the year. By providing processors the support needed, the Government of Canada is ensuring Canadian family farms thrive and remain well positioned for the future.
“Our government strongly supports supply-managed sectors and, as promised, we are rolling out various programs to compensate producers and processors who have lost market share further to trade agreements. Today, we are announcing the terms of support for dairy, poultry and egg processors to promote investment in their operations and thereby improve their competitiveness and resilience.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg farmers are part of the backbone of rural regions from across Canada. With the launch of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, the Government of Canada is providing critical investments to accelerate the adoption of new automated equipment and technology for processors to improve their productivity and efficiency, and in turn increase their competitiveness and resilience.”
– Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“Dairy processors welcome the announcement of the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund, which will support the additional investments and innovations necessary for Canada’s dairy processing sector to transition to new market realities resulting from additional market access concessions granted in trade agreements with Europe and Trans-Pacific countries. By supporting investments in processing plants, the Fund will help boost the competitiveness, productivity and long-term sustainability of the Canadian dairy industry.”
– Michael Barrett, Chair, Dairy Processors Association of Canada
“We are pleased to see the government fulfill its commitment to support additional investments in poultry and egg processing plants as a means to mitigate the impact of market access concessions made in CPTPP. The Fund will leverage private investments in processing plants to boost productivity, respond to changing customer expectations and improve our industry’s efficiency, viability and competitiveness.”
– Ian McFall, Chair, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council
Building on the nearly $2.7 billion already made available to compensate and support eligible dairy, poultry and egg farmers and the $100 million invested to help dairy processors, with today’s announcement, all CETA and CPTPP compensation programming has been launched.
The supply-managed sectors are significant contributors to Canada’s agricultural sector, generating in 2020 almost $12 billion in farm-gate sales and creating approximately 100,000 direct jobs in Canada in production and processing activities.
In 2020, dairy and poultry processing activities alone contributed $24 billion to Canada’s manufacturing shipments, equivalent to 20 percent of Canada’s total manufactured shipments of food and beverage.
The Supply Management Processing Investment Fund was announced in Budget 2021 to support private investment in processing plants aimed at improving the competitiveness and maintaining the viability of Canadian agri-food processors of dairy, poultry and eggs.
Projects from small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be prioritized.
AAFC may contribute up to 50% of the project cost for small- and medium-sized enterprises and up to 25% for large organizations of 500 employees or more.
Today’s announcement brings the total amount committed to compensate and support supply-managed sectors impacted by CETA and CPTPP to over $3 billion. This includes:
$1.75 billion through the Dairy Direct Payment Program;
$647 million through the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program;
$292.5 million through the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund;
$250 million through the Dairy Farm Investment Program;
$100 million through the Dairy Processing Investment Fund; and,
$44 million through the Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken.
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
Mar 3, 2022 | International
Youth and young farmers are the future of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. By connecting youth directly with farmers to learn how our food is produced and showcase the vital role that farmers play in our food system, the Government of Canada is helping to inspire and build the next generation of young farmers to ensure a strong, sustainable Canadian agriculture sector.
March 2, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Youth and young farmers are the future of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. By connecting youth directly with farmers to learn how our food is produced and showcase the vital role that farmers play in our food system, the Government of Canada is helping to inspire and build the next generation of young farmers to ensure a strong, sustainable Canadian agriculture sector.
To kick off Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced up to $415,000 in support for Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C). CALM, celebrated annually in March, encourages students to learn about and celebrate Canada’s incredible agriculture and food story.
In celebration of CALM, AITC-C is hosting the Great Canadian Farm Tour, an engaging learning experience which gives students an opportunity to learn about Canada’s agriculture industry by interacting virtually with real farmers. The Great Canadian Farm Tour includes a virtual field trip with 11 live farm tours focusing on the diversity of commodities across Canada throughout the month of March.
AITC-C will receive up to $55,000 through the new federal AgriCommunication Program to support activities related to the virtual farm tours. In addition, AITC-C will also receive nearly $360,000 under the AgriDiversity program to expand its thinkAG initiative, which is designed to help Canadian students learn about, and inspire interest in, the many diverse and exciting career opportunities in agriculture.
The Government of Canada is committed to raising awareness, understanding and appreciation of agriculture among young Canadians. Initiatives such as AITC-C are connecting classrooms with farmers and people with a passion for agriculture and food so students and teachers can learn firsthand about the sector through information sessions, learning events and program materials for Canadian educators. These initiatives provide students with valuable education about how their food gets to their table and creates opportunities to inspire young future leaders in the sector.
“To build the next generation of agricultural producers, we must inform and inspire Canadian youth. The objective of Agriculture in the Classroom is to spark their interest early by teaching youth about the origins of the food they eat and the role of our farm families, while raising awareness of the many possible careers in our sector. Supporting these efforts is an investment in a stronger, more sustainable agriculture sector.”
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“As always, we are thrilled to continue our collaborations with AAFC through this most recent announcement of funding. The support will be leveraged alongside other AITC-C donors to ensure initiatives such as CALM and thinkAG continue to grow and thrive with useful tools for educators and experiences for students. Reaching the young people of this nation, our future leaders and decision makers, is key to ensuring continued public trust and growth in Canada’s agriculture and food sector.”
– Johanne Ross, Executive Director, AITC-C
Launched in December 2021, the new AgriCommunication Program will provide up to $8 million over 3 years to support projects that promote consumer awareness of the strengths of Canada’s agriculture sector. Projects will also help enhance Canadians’ trust in sustainability, animal care, and efforts to reduce food waste. Projects and final funding are subject to negotiation of a contribution agreement.
The AgriDiversity Program is a five year, $5 million program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership which helps under-represented groups in Canadian agriculture, including youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, and persons with disabilities, to fully participate in the sector by helping these groups address the key issues and barriers they often face for sector participation.
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) is a Canadian charitable organization with a vision to bring agriculture to every classroom, inspiring every student. Alongside ten provincial member organizations, AITC-C provides accurate, balanced and current, curriculum-linked resources for students at all grade levels.
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
Feb 22, 2022 | International
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will virtually join agriculture organizations across Canada to discuss on-farm investments to lower emissions and implement beneficial management practices.
February 21, 2022 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, along with Francis Drouin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, will virtually join agriculture organizations across Canada to discuss on-farm investments to lower emissions and implement beneficial management practices.
Date
February 22, 2022
Time
10:00am EST
Location
Virtual
Access to the press conference
Please contact the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Media Relations team at: aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca to obtain instructions to participate. Questions are reserved for media only.
Note: The event will be recorded. Participants may decline to have their likeness recorded by turning their camera off. This will not impact the audio or visual transmission of the event.
Marianne Dandurand
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
marianne.dandurand@agr.gc.ca
343-541-9229
