Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) (French: Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada), is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for policies governing the production, processing, and marketing of all farm, food, and agri-based products. It is commonly called Ag-Canada.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada
Department overview
Formed1868 (1868)
JurisdictionCanada
Minister responsible
Deputy Minister responsible
  • Chris Forbes
Child agencies
Websitewww.agr.gc.ca

The current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is Marie-Claude Bibeau. The current Deputy Minister is Chris Forbes.

Agriculture is a shared jurisdiction in Canada, and the Department works closely with provincial and territorial governments in the development and delivery of policies and programs. The Department is also responsible for ensuring collaboration with its portfolio partners which are also involved in regulating and supporting Canadian agriculture.[1]

History and structure

The Department of Agriculture was responsible for healthcare in Canada between 1867 and 1919, before the Department of Health was created on September 1, 1919.[2] In 2013, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was moved from the Agriculture Portfolio to the Health Portfolio.[3]

From 1885 to 1918 it was responsible for collecting statistics. Prior to 1885 it was collected by the Department of Finance from 1867 to 1879. Collection of statistics was transferred to the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in 1918.

Organizations for which the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible include:

Acts and regulations

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is responsible for a number of Acts related to agriculture and food in Canada.[4]

  • Agricultural Marketing Programs Act
  • Agricultural Products Marketing Act
  • Animal Pedigree Act
  • Canada Grain Act
  • Canadian Agricultural Loans Act
  • Canadian Dairy Commission Act
  • Canada Grain Act
  • Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Act
  • Experimental Farm Stations Act
  • Farm Debt Mediation Act
  • Farm Credit Canada Act
  • Farm Income Protection Act
  • Farm Products Agencies Act
  • Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act

Research
Agriculture Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon Research Centre on the Campus of the University of Saskatchewan

As part of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Science and Technology Branch (French: Direction générale des sciences et de la technologies) has the mandate to propose solutions and opportunities based on science to support competitiveness and the sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector. It is also in the Branch's mandate to provide scientific information to inform departmental and governmental decision processes.

Under the Experimental Farm Stations Act dating back to 1886, farm stations across Canada were established, including the Central Experimental Farm. The officers of these stations had the duty of conducting research in a number of specific areas pertinent to agricultural productivity and conservation, and of making the results of such research known by publication.

Today, the Science and Technology Branch includes a national network of 20 Research and Development Centres and 30 satellite research locations.[5] The Science and Technology Branch has approximately 2,200 employees, including some 400 research scientists.

The goal of all activities is to address the major scientific challenges facing 21st century agricultural production systems:

  • Increasing agricultural productivity,
  • Enhancing environmental performance,
  • Improving attributes for food and non-food uses,
  • Addressing threats to the agriculture and agri-food value chain.[6]

Industry support

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also responsible for supporting corporate and local agricultural producers and suppliers. They do this through a variety of programs and services including Agri-Geomatics which develops products and services for internal and external users, and program facilitation.

See also

References
  1. "About". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  2. "Canada's Health Care System [Health Canada, 2011]". Health Canada. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
  3. "Canadian Food Inspection Agency Joins Health Portfolio [Health Canada, 2013]". Health Canada. Retrieved 2014-10-25.
  4. "Acts and Regulations > Neutral > About Us". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  5. Canada, Research Centres;Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ;Government of. "Research centres and collections". www4.agr.gc.ca. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Agricultural Innovations 2018. http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/aac-aafc/A1-33-2018-eng.pdf Retrieved 16 January 2019
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