Ag Ministers Push for Grocery Code of Conduct and ASF Protections

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson has encouraged other ministers of agriculture across Canada to collaborate on strategies to guard against African swine fever and to continue finalizing an industry-led grocery code of conduct at a meeting with federal, provincial and territorial counterparts.

“By enhancing transparency, predictability and fair dealing, the Grocery Code of Conduct will help make Canada’s food supply chain more resilient and will not only benefit the industry, but consumers as well,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and

Mr. André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in a joint statement mid January. “We strongly encourage all agrifood organizations to participate in the consultations that industry will be leading in the coming weeks so that the Code can benefit the largest number and variety of businesses. It is clear that a Grocery Code of Conduct will be more successful if people see its added value, especially through the accountability its governance structure and its dispute resolution model will bring.”

Johnson also joined counterparts in recognizing progress made toward Canada’s

Grocery Code of Conduct and emphasized the Manitoba government’s support for work done to date by the industry toward the establishment of the code, which would follow extensive consultation.

“Consumers in Manitoba and across the country need more transparency and predictability in retail food prices and an assurance of fair dealing and practices in Canada’s food supply chain,” said Johnson. “As well, it is crucial that provinces and territories remain committed to working together with Ottawa to prevent African swine fever from entering the country and to be prepared with measures to protect producers if it does.”

These issues and other matters were discussed recently during the virtual meeting of agriculture and agri-food ministers that included progress updates from governments on initiatives in several areas of interest, noted Johnson.

The ministers reaffirmed a commitment to bolster government and agricultural sector readiness to keep African swine fever out of Canada and to respond swiftly and effectively if an outbreak occurs.

Other topics discussed included federal development of a national agricultural labour strategy and progress in the federal, provincial and territorial governments’ preparations for the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will begin April 1 and continue for five years to assist the sector by improving competitiveness and sustainability of farmers, food processors and others.

Meetings of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture are held as needed to ensure continuing collaboration and to help prepare for annual meetings. The next annual meeting of agriculture ministers will be held in July in Fredericton.