Growing Forward Framework Dicussed At Meetings In Quebec

Agriculture ministers from across the country met in Quebec on Friday to discuss the next growing forward framework. The current five-year agreement expires next March.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz explained they hope to have the deal finalized well before then, “Our goal is to sign the agreement at our annual meeting in September and to have the new framework in place by April 1^st of 2013. As always we will succeed by putting farmers first.”

He said the new framework will place more of an emphasis on innovation and flexibility, “Market place not mailbox that’s been the mantra this agriculture has embraced across this great country. We are looking at more science and research and we're looking at more innovation and more flexibility for the provinces to deliver to the industries their boarders.”

Ritz says he hopes to see the development of an insurance-based program for livestock.