(OTTAWA) – Today the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) announced it will release a report card evaluating the next generation of agriculture policy currently under development by the federal government. The report card will also grade the process used to develop the policy.

“Make no mistake the future of Canadian agriculture is on the line. We must achieve fundamental change and put together competitive policies to build a strong and profitable industry here in Canada,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President. “It is critical we achieve success and these are the outcomes farmers must see to achieve that success.”

The federal government has begun a round of consultations as the starting point for developing a ‘next generation of agricultural policy’. The CFA report card contains a list of criteria in which it will measure success for the development process and the final product. Those criteria are:

1)   A process of engagement for policy development that respects the democratic will of the agricultural industry and the solutions proposed by farmers through their grassroots organizations;

2)   Demonstration of true partnership and collaboration in the development of the next generation of agricultural policy, not simply “consultation”;

3)   A clear vision for the future of Canadian agriculture, guiding the industry to becoming world leaders as solutions providers of the world’s food, health, energy and environmental needs;

4)   Practical, incentive-based programs that build sustainable initiatives contributing to the public good such as environment, food safety and animal health;

5)   Predictable, bankable and flexible business risk management programs that address the extraordinary risks, subsidy distorted markets and declining incomes faced by Canadian farmers;

6)   Clear support for identifying, maintaining and strengthening the marketing structures that enable Canadian farmers to be profitable in the marketplace;

7)   Practical solutions for young, existing and potential farmers to enter the industry and be successful;

8)   Achieve a more responsive and efficient regulatory system that facilitates innovation within the industry; and

9)   Coordinated, whole-production chain strategies that facilitate innovation, build partnerships, profitability and competitive industries into the future.

The CFA continues to develop its own Canadian Farm Bill agriculture policy proposal and will continue to urge the government to include the ideas it contains in the next generation of ag policy.

“At the end of the day Canadian farmers expect to be full partners in the development of this new policy. That means collaboration, not just consultation,” said Friesen. “It is essential that this process build buy-in and ownership of its results. Farmers need to see their ideas and common sense solutions reflected in the final product. It is imperative to the farm families across Canada that the next generation of agricultural policy be a success.”

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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.