Governments announce $1.3 billion framework

By Gary Sliworsky
OMAFRA Rep.

Last week Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of agriculture reached an important milestone and announced the completion of the multilateral Growing Forward framework. The agreement is supported by a commitment of $1.3 billion in funding over five years for non-business risk management (non-BRM) cost-shared programs.
The $1.3 billion is cost-shared on a basis of 60/40 between the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments and represents an increase of $330 million over non-BRM funding that was allocated under the Agricultural Policy Framework. The investment demonstrates the ongoing commitment of federal, provincial and territorial governments to a strong, competitive and profitable agricultural sector.
The new five-year multilateral framework is a significant achievement paving the way for new programs that support the Growing Forward vision of a profitable and innovative agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products industry that seizes opportunities in responding to market demands and contributes to the health and well-being of Canadians.
Ministers credited input from more than 3,000 stakeholders and a strong partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments as being the driving forces behind the development of Growing Forward.
Growing Forward is an integrated and comprehensive plan that focuses on key results in the areas of competitiveness and innovation, society’s priorities and proactive risk management. It will give farmers and others across the value chain the marketplace edge to capture business success, both domestically and in export markets. The new framework
includes programs that enable greater adaptation and quicker response to changing consumer markets. A commitment to reducing governments’ regulatory burden and providing better tools for entrepreneurs to plan and evaluate their businesses are other examples of how Growing Forward will help the sector achieve long-term profitability.
Growing Forward also focuses on supporting the enhancement of food safety systems and the continued implementation of on-farm environmental actions. In addition, the framework commits Governments to continue to work with the sector to put in place traceability and biosecurity systems.
The Growing Forward framework includes an improved demand-driven suite of business risk management (BRM) programs that was launched in April 2008.

Growing Forward sets the stage for Governments to complete bilateral agreements and launch new programming in each province and territory prior to April 1, 2009. Flexibility is a key element of Growing Forward and will enable Governments to deliver programs that better respond to local priorities. Ministers committed to continued consultations with the sector as Growing Forward programs are developed and implemented.
For further information please contact: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario Media Relations at 613-759-7972 or 1-866-345-7972.
Dates to remember

1st Annual - Hereford / Hereford Influence Sale
Sale Time 1:00 p.m. - Preview - prior to sale
Consignments are due - August 1, 2008
Contact Aaron Kuorikoski 807-483-5428