Manitoba Ministers Emphasize Collaboration on African Swine Fever Prevention and Grocery Code of Conduct

Strategic Insights -

The Government of Manitoba emphasized the importance of collaboration among provinces and territories to prevent the entry of African swine fever into Canada and to protect producers in the event of an outbreak. During a virtual meeting, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson encouraged his counterparts to work together to finalize an industry-led grocery code of conduct, which aims to provide consumers with transparency and predictability in retail food prices and fair dealing in Canada's food supply chain. The meeting also covered progress in various initiatives, including a national agricultural labour strategy and preparations for the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government of Manitoba is emphasizing the importance of collaboration among provinces and territories to prevent African swine fever from entering Canada and to protect producers.
  • Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson encouraged his counterparts to work together to finalize an industry-led grocery code of conduct to provide consumers with transparency and predictability in retail food prices.
  • The meeting reaffirmed a commitment to bolster government and agricultural sector readiness to prevent African swine fever from entering Canada and to respond effectively in the event of an outbreak.
  • Minister Johnson joined counterparts in recognizing progress made toward Canada's Grocery Code of Conduct, emphasizing the Manitoba government's support for the industry's work.
  • Federal and provincial governments are preparing for the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will begin on April 1 and continue for five years to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of farmers, food processors, and others.
  • Manitoba is committed to supporting the development of a national agricultural labour strategy.
  • The next annual meeting of agriculture ministers will be held in July in Fredericton.

Statistics:

  • 5 years: The length of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
  • April 1: The start date of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
  • 1 July: The date of the next annual meeting of agriculture ministers in Fredericton.
  • Industry-led grocery code: The initiative aims to provide consumers with transparency and predictability in retail food prices and fair dealing in Canada's food supply chain.
  • Canada's food supply chain: The initiative targets the grocery code of conduct to impact a significant portion of the country's food sector.

Sources:

  • Government of Manitoba news release. (n.d.). Agriculture Minister Encourages Collaboration on African Swine Fever Prevention and Grocery Code of Conduct.