Minister Bibeau concludes AIM4C climate summit, has discussions re: matters such as “Product of USA” labelling requirements

gene-editing. Minister Bibeau also expressed her appreciation for Secretary Vilsack’s support in helping to reopen the U.S. market for Prince Edward Island table stock potatoes. They also discussed a variety of other topics, including Canada’s Clean Fuel Standard and Mexico’s restrictions on some GMO corn imports.

During the Summit, Minister Bibeau visited the USDA Beltsville Agriculture Research Centre to see breakthrough technology developed by Carbon Asset Solutions, which has its Canadian headquarters in Olds, Alberta. The company specializes in advanced soil carbon measurement technology to facilitate the verification and sales of carbon credits in the global market; which could incentivize farmers to introduce more regenerative farming practices to increase resilience, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration while earning revenues from the sale of verified carbon credits. Minister Bibeau highlighted Canada’s investment of up to $458,095 under the Research and Innovation Stream of the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program to bring Carbon Asset Solutions’ technology to the commercial stage.

The Minister hosted a gathering of approximately 60 U.S agricultural industry representatives to reiterate the value and mutual benefits of the Canada-U.S. trading relationship and to share Canadian perspectives and priorities. She also held meetings with the North American Meat Institute and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, together with the Canadian Cattle Association, on the importance of integration in the Canada-U.S. meat and livestock supply chain.

The visit to Washington reinforced the collaboration with international partners and organizations to support a coordinated action on climate change, food security and world hunger, and accelerate investments to help agriculture be part of the solution while supporting the livelihood of farmers.

Quick facts

• Launched in 2021, Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) is an initiative led by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, with support from more than 40 countries. The goal is to increase investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.

• Carbon Asset Solutions Ltd. is a clean technology company with offices in Australia, Canada and the U.S. Its technology, Mobile Inelastic Neutron Scattering (MINS), performs advanced measurements of soil carbon in farm fields, generating maps that can help farmers apply regenerative farming practices with more impact on their soil health, while calculating the value of those practices as a carbon offset.

• The ACT – Research and Innovation Stream supports pre-market innovation including research, development, demonstration and commercialization of agricultural clean technologies.

• As part of the Strengthened Climate Plan and the Emissions Reduction Plan, the Government of Canada has committed over $1.5 billion to accelerate the agricultural sector’s progress on reducing emissions and to remain a global leader in sustainable agriculture. This includes $495.7 million for the Agricultural Clean Technology (ACT) Program.