Agri-Food Innovation Council

Don't forget... Monday the 9th of December at 4pm ET and Tuesday the 10th at 11am ET, we are organizing sessions with the NDP Critic for Agriculture, Richard Cannings, MP and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Liberal MP, Francis Drouin. You can register (it's free) through this link: https://lnkd.in/gudKRhEX

Le Council of Canadian Academies / Conseil des académies canadiennes (CCA) a été chargé par le National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada d'examiner les avancées scientifiques et technologiques dans la production alimentaire « atypique ». L'objectif était de voir comment ces progrès contribueraient à la sécurité alimentaire du Canada au cours des deux prochaines décennies. Selon le CCA, « Le groupe d'experts, présidé par la Dre Lenore Newman , explore une gamme de méthodes de production alimentaire prometteuses – depuis les installations d'agriculture en environnement contrôlé (ACE) jusqu'aux processus d'agriculture cellulaire tels que la culture de viande et la fermentation de précision – ainsi que les conditions qui améliorent leurs chances de réussite". Le rapport peut être consulté ici: https://lnkd.in/gsMrazyi

The Agri-food Innovation Council national conference (May 6-7, 2025, Ottawa) will showcase innovation in agriculture and food. We will also approach topics such as productivity and competitiveness. Our innovation "system" can certainly be improved either through optimization or restructuring. Be part of the discussion! During the conference we will provide insights into how other countries are supporting agriculture and food innovation. Two foreign diplomats have already confirmed that they will speak at our conference. Will you be there? If so, don't forget to register! https://lnkd.in/eNqt5jbp

The Council of Canadian Academies / Conseil des académies canadiennes (CCA) was asked by the National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada to look at scientific and technological advancements in "atypical" food production. The intent was to see how these advancements will contribute to Canada's food security over the next two decades. As per the CCA, "The expert panel, chaired by Dr. Lenore Newman, explores a range of promising food production methods—from controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facilities to cellular agriculture processes such as cultured meat and precision fermentation — as well as the conditions that improve their chances of success." See the report here: https://lnkd.in/gqGUPMck

The Agri-food Innovation Council is continuing its meetings with representatives of major political parties. The next one scheduled is with NDP Agriculture Critic, Richard Cannings on December 9th at 4pm ET. This will be a chance for you to hear about the NDP's perspective on research and innovation for agriculture and food. You will also be able to ask your questions. Please register through this link: https://lnkd.in/ejb2Jk3d

A big “thank you” to Conservative MP Warren Steinley, Associate Shadow Minister for Agriculture for having participated in a session with AIC members and stakeholders.     Following a brief introduction, Mr. Steinley provided frank responses to questions asked by attendees.   AIC’s Chair, Dr. Lianne Dwyer thanked Mr. Steinley for having taken the time to give attendees a sense of Conservative priorities and direction   This event is part of series designed to inform members and stakeholders in the lead up to the next federal election.

A few weeks ago, AIC presented to the House of Commons of Canada Chambre des communes du Canada Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (#AGRI). The topic was Border Carbon Adjustments. As usual, AIC consulted its Board members, members and stakeholders prior to finalizing our brief. Lots of you provided thoughts, ideas and content. While we would like recognize everyone, we can't. Therefore we would especially like to thank the following people for their response - you helped shape our position! Of note are: · Luter Atagher, · Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, · Perry Lidster,       · Jeff MacDonald · Salah Zoghlami You may even find some of their contributions directly reflected in our brief. We strive to be an effective voice for research and innovation in agriculture and food. To do this, we know that it is essential to properly engage the community, and this is why we do it: every time. The brief can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e_uW4m_V

AIC is pleased to announce that our Conference will be held May 6-7 in Ottawa. Our theme is: Showcasing innovation: agriculture and food as key drivers of the economy. More information on the program and surrounding events will be announced in the weeks leading up to it. In the meantime, confirm your registration and/or sponsorship through our website: https://lnkd.in/eNqt5jbp Looking forward to seeing you there!

AIC would like to congratulate Mr. Philip Jennings for his new role (starting Nov. 4) as Deputy Minister for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada. Mr. Jennings has significant government experience having previously worked at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the Privy Council Office and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique Canada. He also briefly worked at the International Monetary Fund. We look forward to working with him and his colleagues as his Department has a key role in fostering research and innovation for agriculture and food. https://lnkd.in/eVNG3KMS

AIC will be appearing in front of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food to discuss Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). The presentation will occur on October 10, at 8.15am ET. We thank all members and stakeholders who provided information, thoughts and views on the issue. What is clear is that while BCAs may be an option for some, there are a lot of concerns about the measure that first need to be dealt with: ·      Until there are transparent and internationally accepted metrics, it will be difficult to impose BCAs on agri-food products, ·      BCAs should not be implemented in a unilateral manner but rather through multilateral trade agreements or agencies – WTO.  At the bare minimum, it should be a North American strategy – not just a Canadian one… ·      BCAs have initially been designed to deal with oil, steel and cement.  Agri-food is a complex sector that will require very careful review.  There are so many inputs and outputs in the sector that CBAs will be difficult to implement, ·      BCAs will increase prices in grocery stores and that will create an inflationary pressure – Canadian consumers, already struggling with prices of food do not look forward to this.  Basically, it isn’t the time, ·      BCAs are also seen as a way for industrialized countries to transfer the burdens of environmental policies to lower-income countries.  This is contrary to the Stockholm Declaration (Recommendation of 103) and the principle of common but differentiated responsibility…  ·      Should a BCAs be adopted for agri-food products, funds collected should be reinvested to support new technologies and their adoption, ·      The Canadian government should in fact provide more support for the adoption of technologies leading to decreases in GHG emissions, increased productivity and competitiveness…  ·      We should also look at reducing redundancies, gaps and inconsistencies in support programs for intellectual property, research, development and commercialization - as was recommended by the Standing Committee on Science and Research in November 2023.   ·      A national strategy to coordinate efforts on agri-food research and innovation would significantly help.