Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture meet to support a competitive and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture Discuss Sustainable Development Goals

Annual Conference in Fredericton, New Brunswick

FREDERICTON, NB, July 21, 2023 /CNW/ – The annual conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture was held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, from July 19 to 21, 2023. Ministers discussed the agriculture and agri-food sector’s key issues, including the successful launch of the $3.5 billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) that came into effect on April 1, 2023. In the face of current challenges and concerns related to global food security, Ministers underlined the importance of working together to ensure that hard-working producers and processors in Canada have the supports they need to continue to feed Canadians and a growing global population.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events

• Ministers expressed their concerns regarding the extreme weather situations currently impacting producers across the country, including drought and wildfires.
• Ministers committed to working together expeditiously to share data and complete AgriRecovery assessments.
• Ministers also committed to ensuring that producers have access to a full suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs that are timely and reliable.
• Ministers agreed to the implementation of an optional new model for AgriStability to ensure timeliness, simplicity, and predictability.

Prevention and Preparedness Planning for African Swine Fever

• Ministers discussed the need for continued collaboration on the development of integrated disease prevention, surveillance, and management plans.
• Ministers recognized the importance of increasing Canada’s readiness and capacity to respond to potential disease outbreaks.
• Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to closely collaborate on this issue and engage with key players across the value chain.
• Ministers also discussed actions taken already, such as the ongoing work through Animal Health Canada (AHC).

Collaboration and Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture

• Ministers unanimously endorsed AHC’s proposed role in emergency preparedness and indicated their support for continued investment and its operations.
• Ministers emphasized the importance of building on a foundation of strengths and expertise from across jurisdictions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve sustainability.
• Ministers committed to continuing to work with stakeholders to respond to the challenge of climate change and extreme weather events.
• Ministers highlighted the importance of science and evidence-based decision-making in improving the long-term growth, resilience, and sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Regulating Crop Protection Products and Supply Chain Resiliency

• Ministers agreed that science and evidence-based decision-making on regulating crop protection products is paramount.
• Ministers recognized the importance of supporting research into pest management tools, practices, and solutions.
• Ministers agreed to create an FPT working group to explore the challenges of pesticide management.
• Ministers received an update on the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct consultations and supported the establishment of an office to improve transparency in the grocery sector.

Investment in Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank

• Ministers advanced talks on the federal government’s commitment to establish a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank for Canada.
• Ministers agreed on a collaborative approach, working with industry, to support this project and secure a strategic reserve of vaccines.

International Trade and Market Diversification

• Ministers discussed ongoing trade negotiations with key partners and efforts to position Canada as a trusted and sustainable supplier in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Ministers highlighted the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office in Manila, Philippines, as well as existing investments in the region.

Labour and Interprovincial Trade

• Ministers discussed labour challenges and committed to sharing ideas and approaches to remove barriers for workers seeking employment opportunities.
• Ministers received an update on interprovincial food trade pilot projects and committed to continue progress on this issue.

Quotes

“By working together, we can continue to overcome the challenges facing the agriculture and agri-food sector and seize the opportunities for growth. Underscored by the launch of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, our ambitious vision for the future of the sector will ensure that producers, ranchers, and processors have the tools they need to manage risk, grow their production, productivity, and profitability while remaining good stewards of the land. This vision is also at the heart of the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, being developed in collaboration with industry.”

– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

“The agriculture and agri-food sector is an important component of the New Brunswick and Canadian economy, while also feeding Canadians and those across the globe. The sector is resilient and sustainable and will prosper by seizing opportunities and addressing challenges through a collaborative approach. During our meetings this past week, we discussed many important topics including Business Risk Management programs, animal health, environment, and labour. As the provincial-territorial co-chair, I am pleased with the commitments all parties made to support and advance the agriculture and agri-food sector and help it succeed.”

– The Honourable Margaret Johnson, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, New Brunswick

Quick Facts

1. Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector contributed $143.8 billion

   SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

   1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • SDG 13: Climate Action
   • SDG 15: Life on Land
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge-sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, particularly at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

   3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
   • Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations
   • Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added
   • Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
   • Indicator 17.6.1: Number of science and/or technology cooperation agreements and programmes between countries, by type of cooperation

   Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding, and other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality.	Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.	Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.	Indicator 8.2.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure	Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.	Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emission per unit of value added
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.	Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
   SDG 13: Climate Action	Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.	Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together. Source: finance.yahoo.com   Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.