CCA Semi-Annual 2022: Domestic agriculture and policy Regulations report

The Domestic Agriculture Policy and Regulations (Domestic Ag.) Committee had a great meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Penticton in August. Several of the committee’s current files may be of interest.
 
Next Policy Framework: 
The Next Policy Framework, renamed the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will be the next 5-year framework.  It replaces the Canadian Agricultural Partnership in March 2023. In September 2021, the "Guelph Statement" outlined the policy's framework which includes: investment in research, climate change, sustainable productivity, and value-added agri-food and risk management. 
 
In July, CCA representatives (including YCC staff support, Jessica Radau) joined in discussions with Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture to conclude the negotiation of the framework. Highlights of what was announced, include a 25% overall increase in funding, the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program and improvements to business risk management (BRM) programming.
 
The committee discussed the environmental overlay that was announced for the AgriInvest and AgriInsurance programs. While the overlay isn’t pervasive, the Committee was concerned about the precedent it might set for the rest of the BRM programs. The Committee also noted the requirement of an Environmental Farm Plan, as a condition for participating in AgriInvest should be broadened to allow for the inclusion of industry verification programs, such as the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef verification framework.
 
Governments are also considering using reduced AriInsurance premiums as a means to encourage the adoption of practices that help mitigate environmental risks.  Potential pilots will be identified and explored at the provincial level.  CCA staff will identify potential pilots that might contribute to reduced forage insurance premiums.
 
Business Risk Management: 
The committee focussed its discussion on different options to overcome the federal government’s reluctance to support producer premiums under the Livestock Price Insurance Program. 
 
Federal government officials have outlined four key concerns:

1. Ongoing Canadian efforts at the World Trade Organization to encourage members to reduce overall levels of agricultural subsidies 
2. Risk of the United States imposing countervailing duties in response to Canadian subsidization of beef production.
   
3. Program affordability. 
4. Reluctance to fund a business risk management program that is not offered in every province.

CCA staff will be developing a series of arguments to address the government’s concerns.  These will include noting the negative implications of the current inequities within the BRM suite on the preservation of grasslands and pastures. 

YCC President - Carley Henniger