Annual Conference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Agriculture

Federal, provincial and territorial governments recognize the need for a strong partnership between governments and industry to address key issues facing the agriculture and food sector.

At a March 20, 2006 meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers, officials were directed to evaluate options and carry out consultations including on the possibility of replacing the current integrated Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program with one that separates disaster relief from income stabilization.

A Task Team, which included producers, accountants and representatives from federal and provincial governments, was established to develop options. Producers and their organizations were then consulted on the future direction for BRM programming.

At a national level, the following groups were consulted:

   
• the Minister’s National Safety Nets Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from 22 industry from across the country
   
• the National CAIS Committee, which includes representatives from both levels of government and 22 producers
   
• an industry roundtable, which included the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Canadian Horticultural Council, the Canadian Pork Council, the Dairy Farmers of Canada, and the Grain Growers of Canada.

In some provinces, consultations were also held with provincial industry groups.