Federal Policy in AgricultureCanadian Agri-Food Research Council
In 1992, the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC) created a
five-year strategy concerning agri-food research in Canada, through
guidance from the Canadian agri-food sector. This national strategy was
implemented with the help of the country's Ministers of Agriculture and
provided a strategic direction for the agri-food sector until 1997. The
strategy is now renewed every five years to meet the changing needs of the
agri-foods industry.
Canada's agri-food sector contributes 11 percent of the gross domestic
product and 15 percent of the country's total employment. This sector
contributes billions of dollars to the Canadian economy and has an
enormous growth potential for the future. The CARC has identified
innovation as one of the key factors for continued success in Canadas
agri-foods industry.
Research and development has transformed the agri-foods industry in the public and private sectors.
Although most of the focus has been on downsizing and reducing operating
costs, new research and development facilities have emerged. The emphasis
on short-term, business-related research is now being balanced by
traditional research into agri-food science. The CARC describes this
balance between industrial research and scientific research as a key to
stable development in the agri-foods industry. The CARC has recommended
several strategies to the federal and provincial governments to improve
the agri-foods industry. Some of these strategies are
- Ensuring Sustainable Use of Resources. The provincial governments, in
partnership with the federal government, ensure that issues surrounding
the environment are properly managed and agricultural resources are
properly managed.
- Developing Research Priorities. The CARC will work to develop
cooperation and collaboration between the federal government, provincial
governments, universities and the private sector on various research
projects.
- Increase Participation of the Private Sector in Research. Research and
commercialization of innovative products and ideas has traditionally been
conducted by research firms affiliated with government funding. The CARC
hopes to balance research between government funded projects and private
sector ventures.
- Attract and Retain Top Scientists and Researchers. The CARC would like
to work with Canadian universities and governments to encourage enrollment
in the sciences and develop world-class science programs to attract
international students.
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