Ag ministers support supply management

Thursday, May 12, 2011

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Agricultural ministers from Ontario and Quebec have committed to working with the dairy industry on areas of common interest, and confirmed the ongoing importance of supporting Canada's supply management systems in international trade agreements. Carol Mitchell, minister of Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Pierre Corbeil, minister of Quebec Agriculture, Fisheries and Food met Thursday in Toronto.

The ministers also agreed that Ontario and Quebec will press for federal government recognition regarding provincial flexibility in the development of national agricultural policy.

As part of the Quebec-Ontario Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the two agriculture ministers meet annually to consider initiatives that help promote the competitive position of their respective agri-food sectors. These bilateral meetings coincide with SIAL, which alternates locations between Montreal and Toronto. SIAL Canada is an international trade show dedicated to food industry professionals which targets the North American market. This year it is taking place at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto from May 11-13.

Underlining the importance of the Ontario-Quebec relationship is the combined farm gate value of Ontario and Quebec production of about $17.2 billion annually. The two provinces' combined food processing sectors represents just over 64 per cent of the total Canadian output.

Quebec and Ontario together represent more than 65 per cent of supply-managed production - dairy, poultry and eggs - in Canada. BF