message from the chair: agri-food safety and security In the race to produce new products, develop new processing technologies and add more nutritional value to the food we eat, agri-food entrepreneurs shouldn’t lose sight of safety. It’s the foundation on which other achievements are built. But for consumers to have confidence in what they eat, we not only need to deliver safe food, we also need to prove that it’s safe. How do we go about that? First of all, we need systems for verifying that all the inputs and ingredients we use are free from contamination, whether it’s bacterial, chemical or physical. Next, we need stringent processes to prevent contamination at every stage in the journey from field to fork. Finally, we need tracking systems, so if anything should go wrong, the problem can be traced back to its source as quickly as possible. Is this easy? No. But in a world where success depends on adding value, safety is perhaps the most important value we can add. Not only does it increase the confidence of consumers here at home, it gives us a competitive edge in the crowded global marketplace. If Canada is going to play a significant role in the world’s food supply, we need this kind of differentiation. For creative entrepreneurs, the opportunity is clear.
Larry Milligan Chair, Bioenterprise Corporation
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