About AIC
Communications: Press Releases
AIC Releases Discussion Paper
Big Farms, Small Farms - Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture to Fit All Sizes
October 30, 2005 - Ottawa, ON
AIC to Persue Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Coalition
As the Agricultural Institute of Canada (AIC) prepares for their Annual Forum in Quebec City, they have released a discussion paper - "Big Farms, Small Farms - Strategies in Sustainable Agriculture to Fit All Sizes." The paper, commissioned by the AIC, outlines several strategies to support sustainable agriculture in Canada.
The paper says that Canadians eat the world's cheapest food as farmers' incomes wither, small farms vanish, and rural communities decline. It further indicates that making agriculture more sustainable is essential but can only happen if all Canadians help to shoulder the load.
Kim Shukla, AIC President, maintains that the responsibility for agricultural sustainability extends beyond the farm gate.
"Each and every Canadian who eats has a responsibility toward ensuring a sustainable agriculture sector in this country" asserts Shukla. "Agricultural sustainability is more than a producer/production issue - we all have a role to play," she says.
Hugh Maynard, the paper's lead author asserts that there must be resources put toward sustainable agriculture. One option he suggests is adding a tax on groceries to create a fair levy to help farmers meet the growing public demands for safe, environmentally sustainable food. He also maintains that, regardless of the mechanism, sustainability must address both large and small farm operations - however they are defined.
"Small farms and large farms both have a place in Canadian agriculture - but they all need to be sustainable," says Maynard.
AIC commissioned this paper to gather the key issues related to sustaining agriculture in Canada and present them in a report to stimulate discussion and debate. The debate will begin at the AIC Forum - Identifying Strategies to Support Sustainable Agriculture in Canada, being held November 6-9, at the Loews le Concorde, in Quebec City.
The opening plenary on Monday November 7th includes a presentation of the paper, and Tuesday evening, November 8th features a consultation workshop with farmers to seek more feedback on the proposed strategies.
AIC intends to seek expressions of interest from organizations and individuals who are interested in coming together to form a Sustainable Agriculture Strategy Coalition to work toward developing a Sustainable Agriculture Accord for Canada.
The Agricultural Institute of Canada exists to have a positive impact on the agri-food sector.
-30-
Related Documents:
Printer Friendly
Send to a Friend
