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

WINNIPEG, July 10, 2003 - Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture met in Winnipeg, July 8-10, to discuss key issues facing the agricultural sector, including the status of the cattle and beef industry, animal health practices, and progress on the implementation of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

Ministers reviewed the state of the agricultural industry since the detection of a single case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), met with industry members to discuss current challenges, and discussed the report of the International Team that reviewed and commended Canada’s BSE investigation. Ministers agreed that reinstating access to key markets remains their top priority. Ministers discussed Canada’s extensive efforts at all levels with the United States and other key trading partners to reopen borders to the Canadian beef industry. Provincial and territorial ministers agreed these efforts need to be intensified and expressed their support for the federal government’s strong leadership in this area to date. Ministers also agreed to adjust the payment schedule to ensure a national BSE Recovery Program, which is providing temporary assistance to producers, and made a commitment to continue to work with industry to ensure effective operation and equitable access for all producers.

In discussing the challenges facing Canada’s beef industry, Ministers called for the suspension of further issuance of supplementary import permits, with a view to ensuring maximum opportunity for Canadian producers. Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lyle Vanclief agreed to follow up immediately with his colleague, the Minister of International Trade, on this issue.

Ministers explored options in areas such as feed practices, comprehensive food safety plans, tracking and tracing systems, and disease surveillance. Agreeing that these efforts should be co-ordinated with the U.S. and other key trading partners, Ministers emphasized the need to move forward quickly and directed officials to further assess implications and accelerate development of action plans. In discussing further enhancements to food safety, Ministers endorsed the need to implement new measures to completely remove Specified Risk Materials (SRMs) from food, as recommended by the International Team.

Ministers discussed progress on programs under the APF, an initiative to improve the profitability of the agriculture and agri-food sector, and help Canada to be the world leader in food safety and quality, environmentally responsible production, and innovation. Ministers also reviewed details for the delivery of the new Business Risk Management program - the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program (CAISP). These details will be communicated to producers over the course of the summer.

In addition, Ministers reviewed the status of WTO agriculture negotiations and Canada’s drive for a level international playing field that promotes fair competition among producers and processors from all countries. Canada is seeking the elimination of agricultural export subsidies, the substantial reduction or elimination of trade-distorting domestic support, and real and substantial market access improvements for all agricultural and food products. Mr. Vanclief also reiterated the Government of Canada’s commitment to maintain supply management.

In concluding the meeting, Ministers underlined the need to continue to meet regularly in the weeks ahead as the current situation unfolds.

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