A meeting of Agriculture ministers this week in Saskatoon focused on the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and the road ahead to a better bottom line for Canadian farmers.
Ministers discussed the need to make long-term strategic investments in innovation and to explore insurance-based and other options to make business risk management (BRM) programs work for farmers.
Although governments will have provided approximately $6 billion in BRM programming over the past three years, they acknowledge producers’ concerns and remain committed to ensuring that programs continue to be responsive and effective. The announcement yesterday of $450 million for farmers impacted by prairie flooding demonstrates the programs at work.
“This has been a tough season for prairie farmers and our recent announcement shows that we have the tools in place to respond to the needs of Canada’s farm community,” said federal Minister Ritz. “Ministers around this table always work to put farmers first and today we’re delivering much-needed assistance for our hard-working Canadian farm families.”
Prince Edward Island Agriculture Minister George Webster was pleased that ministers agreed on the need to explore insurance-based risk management programs in more areas of agriculture production. “Participation in the AgriInsurance program in Prince Edward Island has grown again in 2010, demonstrating that our producers are taking steps to reduce production risks,” said Mr. Webster. “We continue to make modifications to the programs to better suit the needs of Island producers.”
Ministers noted the importance of young farmers joining the sector. Minister Webster looks forward to the development of a policy framework that will foster growth and development of the sector in part through research and innovation.