In a virtual meeting held on July 18, 2025, Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture gathered to discuss critical strategies for enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of the nation’s agriculture sector. The conversation focused on addressing the pressing challenges faced by producers and processors, while exploring opportunities to strengthen the agri-food supply chains that are central to Canada’s economy.
One of the key points raised during the discussions was the ongoing need to support farmers and food producers in light of international trade uncertainties and climate-related obstacles. The Ministers reaffirmed their dedication to improving Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, which provide vital financial support in times of hardship. As part of this effort, the Ministers agreed on a set of enhancements to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year. These adjustments will see an increase in the compensation rate from 80% to 90%, along with a rise in the maximum payment limit from $3 million to $6 million, helping producers better manage the various risks they face. Additionally, starting in the 2026 program year, provinces and territories will have the option to adopt a new inventory valuation method for on-farm inventories.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our farmers, ranchers and food processors across the country, we’ve earned a reputation for producing the best products in the world. By working together across governments, we can continue to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our sector, drive economic growth, and help to ensure Canadian products continue to lead on quality, safety, and sustainability,” stated the Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
The Ministers also committed to reviewing other potential adjustments to the AgriStability program. In the meantime, they agreed to seek the necessary approvals to include feed costs for rented pasture as an allowable expense, ahead of the 2026 program year. Progress on these initiatives will be reported at the September annual meeting.
Another significant focus of the meeting was fostering increased interprovincial trade in food. The Ministers explored potential avenues to break down barriers within Canada’s internal food trade and identify new opportunities for growth. This includes offering enhanced support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for small and medium-sized businesses aiming to expand their reach across provincial borders. Discussions also touched on increasing slaughter capacity in regions where services are limited and exploring ways to allow interprovincial trade of low-risk manufactured foods without the need for a federal licence. These conversations are being informed by two ongoing pilots focused on meat trade and slaughter, which aim to improve market access and foster business expansion while ensuring that Canada’s stringent food safety standards remain intact.
“The province of Manitoba strongly supports our agricultural producers, the backbone of the Manitoba economy. We remain committed to working with other levels of governments, private sector partners and other provinces to deliver programs that support food security, and sustainable practices to ensure the economic viability of farms. We will continue to work tirelessly to advocate for important programs that help producers manage environmental and market risks in a changing global political environment,” expressed the Honourable Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture.
In addition to these domestic initiatives, the Ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining and growing Canada’s international trade relationships. They highlighted the ongoing work of the federal Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office, which is helping to broaden market access in this vital region. Further, the Ministers underscored the need for high-level engagement with China to improve trade relations, particularly around the removal of tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products. The impact of tariffs on Canadian businesses was a point of particular concern, with the Ministers stressing the importance of leveraging existing trade agreements to minimize their effects.
Looking ahead, the FPT Ministers of Agriculture are set to convene in person for their annual conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from September 7 to 9, 2025. The upcoming meeting will continue to build on these discussions, with a focus on finding collaborative solutions to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of Canada’s agriculture sector.
