LONDON, Ontario, April 12, 2008 - The Government of Canada is committed to
keeping our farmers competitive by removing unnecessary regulations and red
tape. That is why we are investing in a project to study the regulatory
environment in the agriculture sector with a view to encourage competitiveness
and prosperity.
The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, at The
University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business.
“The Government of Canada is committed to giving our world-class farmers the
tools they need to compete at home and abroad,” said Minister Ritz. “We are
committed to funding research and working in partnership with industry,
stakeholders and academia.”
The federal contribution of $2,086,250 will assist The University of Western
Ontario in the five-year Agriculture and Agri-Food Project (AAFP) that will
evaluate the impact of government regulation on the agriculture sector. The AAFP
will help industry, government, academia and stakeholders to share knowledge,
identify and address emerging issues, and provide advice and recommendations on
regulations.
The AAFP will be coordinated by a Regulatory Impact Chair at the Richard Ivey
School of Business. Under the Chair’s direction, the AAFP will:
- Conduct research that will focus on government policy-making and
regulatory decisions, informed by the priorities of the sector;
- Present research findings to media, government agencies, community
groups, and the general public;
- Hold annual workshops and seminars for industry, government, rural and
academic stakeholders to discuss and identify regulatory solutions to
critical agricultural and agri-food issues;
- Produce teaching materials and executive training programs; and
- Create an online platform for the sector to access information and
network with colleagues and stakeholders.
This project will also engage business students at the school and expose them
to agriculture and agri-food issues. It is an opportunity to develop a new
generation of business managers to continue to lead the agriculture sector to
sustainable profitability.
“We’re honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the funds for the
Regulatory Impact Project,” said Carol Stephenson, Dean, Ivey Business School.
“The agriculture and agri-food industries are critical to Canada’s economic,
environmental and social sustainability and influence industries as diverse as
the agricultural sector. The regulatory issues facing the agriculture and agri-food
industries are nested in larger business issues, and the Ivey Business School is
positioned well to heighten awareness and understanding of these issues.”
Funding is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the industry-led
Agricultural Adaptation Council.
“Producers and everyone in the agri-food value chain will benefit from having a
research team and a high-profile Chair completely dedicated to understanding and
advancing the sector,” said Kim Turnbull, Agricultural Adaptation Council Chair.
“This project is another example of the great partnerships that are being
developed between government, industry and academia.”
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
1-866-345-7972
613-759-7972
Margaux Stanstny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-759-1059
Nadine Armstrong
Communications Manager
Agricultural Adaptation Council
519-822-7554
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