Interim report of the Prime Minister's Caucus Task Force On Future Opportunities in Farming.
http://www.liberal.parl.gc.ca/agriculture/press_release_apr17_e.htm
List of Recommendations
The Task Force recommends that:
1. Extensive consultations should be carried out with stakeholders during the development of an Agricultural Policy Framework. The work completed by the Task Force and the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food should be useful in this process. Further consultation is needed regarding the details of any proposal, particularly to ensure program consistency with our international trade obligations.
2. More attention needs to be paid by governments when developing safety-net programs to ensure that they respond to the needs of Canadian farmers by providing more flexibility while still remaining within World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements. Canada should seek to renegotiate the green box definitions so as to better reflect the reality of farm programs here in Canada.
3. The federal government – at a minimum – maintain farm safety net funding at its current level for the next five years to give some certainty to growers. The government must also recognize that, in the short term, bridge funding will be required and in some cases will need to be enhanced to respond to the adverse and unpredictable effects of weather, markets and income fluctuations due to factors beyond farmers’ control. It is critically important that these payments comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements so as to avoid trade actions. As well, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada should work more closely with farmers and rural accountants to design workable programs as well as the forms needed to access funds.
4. The federal government implement substantial changes in the near future to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that would make the Agency more transparent, responsive, timely, and more harmonized with the standards of other OECD countries. The Agency must examine the economic implications of cost-sharing, default levels on residues and residue tolerances, zone maps and joint reviews. The Agency should consider the appointment of an Ombudsperson who would investigate complaints.
5. On a priority basis, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conduct a comprehensive review of systems for encouraging companies to register more products used in the United States and other countries to determine how they might be adapted for application in Canada. Stakeholders should participate in this review.
6. The moratorium on Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cost recovery fees be extended indefinitely. There should also be further analysis done to determine if the fees being charged to farmers today are too high in relation to fees paid by farmers for these services in other countries or in other sectors of the economy.
7. The federal government continue to take a strong stand at World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations for improved market access for Canadian products around the world. Moreover, a Canadian rapid response team should be established to prevent delays and to deal swiftly with trade disputes over perishable goods. Industry consultation and involvement is essential.
8. The federal government continue to uphold our orderly marketing systems on all fronts and against all challenges. The government must instruct its international trade negotiators to defend our sovereign right to determine our domestic marketing systems, including export state trading enterprises.
9. Governments at all levels invest in basic infrastructure deficiencies in rural Canada such as Broadband Internet, particularly in agricultural communities.
10. Governments consider new programming to meet the needs of both new farmers and those wishing to exit the industry. Innovative programs addressing such issues as succession planning should be developed and implemented.
11. The Government provide farmers with the opportunity to upgrade their education and skills and enable them to adapt to changing consumer demands and scientific advances.
12. Land stewardship initiatives be explored and implemented on a national basis. The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) should be adequately funded to expand carbon sinks and agri-forestry, and improve management of water and marginal farmland.
13. All beneficiaries share in financing the costs of implementing sound environmental practices on farms.
14. In partnership with the provinces, the federal government support new ethanol and bio-diesel processing plants, encourage renewable fuel content, and eventually introduce a legislated requirement for bio-fuel content in gasoline and diesel.
15. The federal government take a leadership and coordination role in establishing a national food safety certification system for all sectors not already subject to such standards. Since all Canadians share in the benefits of food safety, the costs should be shared by producers, processors, retailers, consumers and governments at all levels.
16. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency take a more aggressive role in explaining to Canadian consumers the system of food inspection in this country. We have one of the most comprehensive systems in the world and most Canadian consumers are unfamiliar with it.
17. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada work with industry stakeholders to develop a system whereby foods produced and processed in Canada could be branded with the maple leaf. Food safety is increasingly important and consumers at home and abroad would know when they saw the Canadian maple leaf that they could be assured they were buying high quality, safe food.
18. More Canadians representing rural parts of the country be appointed to university research granting bodies across the country.
19. Centres of Excellence focused on agriculture and agri-food science be established to promote the industry and celebrate Canada's reputation as a world leader in this field. Since funding for basic agricultural research is a key to the future viability of the agriculture and agri-food industry, and increased research on emerging agricultural markets, market trends, minor crops, rural community development and value-added processing is critical, research funding should be provided without requiring matching investment. Also, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada must continue to consult with stakeholders on changes it is making within its research division to ensure the best synergy of science and to establish partnerships within and outside of government. Better ways to disseminate information to the industry and farmers must also be developed.
20. The federal government encourage research on the short- and long-term benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for human health, the environment and the economy.
21. The government facilitate development of a voluntary labelling standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms that would allow consumers the opportunity to know what is in the food they eat and give them assurances that it is safe and healthy.
22. The human health benefits of nutraceuticals and herbal remedies be explored. As life sciences result in new products being made from crops, the federal government must ensure that a fair share of the economic returns go to the farmers.
23. The federal government provide targeted assistance to organic farmers in the areas of research, pest control, the certification process and exploration of export markets.
24. The federal government provide further research and assistance to farmers wishing to add value to their products.
25. The federal government review its programs which encourage co-operatives in this country and address the issues of intergenerational transfer, promotion of networking among co-ops, and the ownership of intellectual property rights.
26. The federal government work with the agriculture and agri-food industry to further promote agri-tourism across Canada.
http://www.liberal.parl.gc.ca/agriculture/press_release_apr17_e.htm
List of Recommendations
The Task Force recommends that:
1. Extensive consultations should be carried out with stakeholders during the development of an Agricultural Policy Framework. The work completed by the Task Force and the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food should be useful in this process. Further consultation is needed regarding the details of any proposal, particularly to ensure program consistency with our international trade obligations.
2. More attention needs to be paid by governments when developing safety-net programs to ensure that they respond to the needs of Canadian farmers by providing more flexibility while still remaining within World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements. Canada should seek to renegotiate the green box definitions so as to better reflect the reality of farm programs here in Canada.
3. The federal government – at a minimum – maintain farm safety net funding at its current level for the next five years to give some certainty to growers. The government must also recognize that, in the short term, bridge funding will be required and in some cases will need to be enhanced to respond to the adverse and unpredictable effects of weather, markets and income fluctuations due to factors beyond farmers’ control. It is critically important that these payments comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) requirements so as to avoid trade actions. As well, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada should work more closely with farmers and rural accountants to design workable programs as well as the forms needed to access funds.
4. The federal government implement substantial changes in the near future to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that would make the Agency more transparent, responsive, timely, and more harmonized with the standards of other OECD countries. The Agency must examine the economic implications of cost-sharing, default levels on residues and residue tolerances, zone maps and joint reviews. The Agency should consider the appointment of an Ombudsperson who would investigate complaints.
5. On a priority basis, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada conduct a comprehensive review of systems for encouraging companies to register more products used in the United States and other countries to determine how they might be adapted for application in Canada. Stakeholders should participate in this review.
6. The moratorium on Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cost recovery fees be extended indefinitely. There should also be further analysis done to determine if the fees being charged to farmers today are too high in relation to fees paid by farmers for these services in other countries or in other sectors of the economy.
7. The federal government continue to take a strong stand at World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations for improved market access for Canadian products around the world. Moreover, a Canadian rapid response team should be established to prevent delays and to deal swiftly with trade disputes over perishable goods. Industry consultation and involvement is essential.
8. The federal government continue to uphold our orderly marketing systems on all fronts and against all challenges. The government must instruct its international trade negotiators to defend our sovereign right to determine our domestic marketing systems, including export state trading enterprises.
9. Governments at all levels invest in basic infrastructure deficiencies in rural Canada such as Broadband Internet, particularly in agricultural communities.
10. Governments consider new programming to meet the needs of both new farmers and those wishing to exit the industry. Innovative programs addressing such issues as succession planning should be developed and implemented.
11. The Government provide farmers with the opportunity to upgrade their education and skills and enable them to adapt to changing consumer demands and scientific advances.
12. Land stewardship initiatives be explored and implemented on a national basis. The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) should be adequately funded to expand carbon sinks and agri-forestry, and improve management of water and marginal farmland.
13. All beneficiaries share in financing the costs of implementing sound environmental practices on farms.
14. In partnership with the provinces, the federal government support new ethanol and bio-diesel processing plants, encourage renewable fuel content, and eventually introduce a legislated requirement for bio-fuel content in gasoline and diesel.
15. The federal government take a leadership and coordination role in establishing a national food safety certification system for all sectors not already subject to such standards. Since all Canadians share in the benefits of food safety, the costs should be shared by producers, processors, retailers, consumers and governments at all levels.
16. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency take a more aggressive role in explaining to Canadian consumers the system of food inspection in this country. We have one of the most comprehensive systems in the world and most Canadian consumers are unfamiliar with it.
17. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada work with industry stakeholders to develop a system whereby foods produced and processed in Canada could be branded with the maple leaf. Food safety is increasingly important and consumers at home and abroad would know when they saw the Canadian maple leaf that they could be assured they were buying high quality, safe food.
18. More Canadians representing rural parts of the country be appointed to university research granting bodies across the country.
19. Centres of Excellence focused on agriculture and agri-food science be established to promote the industry and celebrate Canada's reputation as a world leader in this field. Since funding for basic agricultural research is a key to the future viability of the agriculture and agri-food industry, and increased research on emerging agricultural markets, market trends, minor crops, rural community development and value-added processing is critical, research funding should be provided without requiring matching investment. Also, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada must continue to consult with stakeholders on changes it is making within its research division to ensure the best synergy of science and to establish partnerships within and outside of government. Better ways to disseminate information to the industry and farmers must also be developed.
20. The federal government encourage research on the short- and long-term benefits and risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for human health, the environment and the economy.
21. The government facilitate development of a voluntary labelling standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms that would allow consumers the opportunity to know what is in the food they eat and give them assurances that it is safe and healthy.
22. The human health benefits of nutraceuticals and herbal remedies be explored. As life sciences result in new products being made from crops, the federal government must ensure that a fair share of the economic returns go to the farmers.
23. The federal government provide targeted assistance to organic farmers in the areas of research, pest control, the certification process and exploration of export markets.
24. The federal government provide further research and assistance to farmers wishing to add value to their products.
25. The federal government review its programs which encourage co-operatives in this country and address the issues of intergenerational transfer, promotion of networking among co-ops, and the ownership of intellectual property rights.
26. The federal government work with the agriculture and agri-food industry to further promote agri-tourism across Canada.
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