Prince Edward Island Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy said today that he has initialled an agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the new Agricultural Policy Framework. The agreement will be formally signed following provincial cabinet approval. He made the announcement following the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture in Halifax.
"The Department of Agriculture and Forestry, in partnership with producers and farm organizations, will work towards successful implementation of the Agricultural Policy Framework in Prince Edward Island," said Mr. Murphy. "The principles of sustainability in the framework in the areas of food safety and environmental initiatives are in keeping with our food strategy and sustainable resource policy directions."
Federal funding of $5.2 million was announced last week by Federal Agriculture Minister Lyle VanClief, to be cost shared on a 60/40 basis with provincial governments.
"Our position is very much in line with that of the agriculture industry as expressed through the Canadian Federation of Agriculture," said Mr. Murphy. "Prince Edward Island is very much at the forefront of the various initiatives under the new policy framework."
The goal of the Agricultural Policy Framework is to make Canada a world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible production.