Panel of Experts Established to Review Business Risk Management Programs

News Release

December 19, 2017 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

Canadian farmers and ranchers help drive the economy, but can face risks that threaten the viability of their farms and are beyond their control such as unpredictable weather, crop or animal disease, extreme market volatility and high input costs. Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will take effect April 1, 2018, producers will continue to have access to a robust suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help manage these risks.

In July 2017, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers of agriculture agreed to undertake a review of BRM programs to assess program effectiveness and their impact on growth and innovation. An external Expert Panel consisting of producers, academics and experts has been established to provide feedback and guidance on the review. The Panel members will support the BRM review task team made up of FPT officials who have been working on the review since the summer of 2017. This work will help inform ministers on the continued effectiveness and impact of BRM Programs in meeting the future needs of the sector.

The panel will meet through the winter and spring of 2018, and their findings will be presented to FPT ministers at their annual meeting next summer in British Columbia.

Quotes

“This Expert Panel is a group of diverse and highly capable people who will bring important perspectives to this process. I look forward to seeing the results of their discussions as governments work to ensure these programs continue to help farmers when they need it most, enabling them to create well-paying middle class jobs and keep pace with the world’s growing demand for our high-quality products.”
-   Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The 2017 wildfires here in BC emphasized just how important Business Risk Management is, and the value of programs that support our farmers, ranchers and their communities through hardship and emergencies. The work of this expert panel will help guide us in the review of BRM programs, so that we can develop programs for farmers and producers that have the tools they need, when they need them."
-  Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, British Columbia

Quick Facts

  • FPT governments are reviewing BRM programs to assess program effectiveness and impact on growth and innovation. 

  • In addition to the BRM review task team and the external panel, industry members will also be engaged regularly to understand their views on the nature of risks facing the sector and the effectiveness of BRM programs.

  • Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership set to launch April 2018, BRM programs will continue to help farmers manage risks that threaten the viability of the farm and that are outside of their control. Over the past 5 years, BRM programs have provided $6.2 billion.

Associated Links

Contacts

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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