The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has applauded the federal government's budget announcement yesterday, particularly in the areas of research and investment, food safety and trade deal negotiations. 

In a release, the group said the CPMA was pleased to see the creation of the new CAD$1.26 billion Strategic Innovation Fund that will help attract and support high-quality business investments in several high-growth sectors, including agri-food as one of six areas to be included in the new Skills and Innovation Plan.

The 2017 budget highlights many areas of investment in science and technology that will benefit Canadians and the agri-food. These include:

• CAD$70 over six years to support agricultural discovery, science and innovation; funding for expanded adoption of clean technology by agricultural producers;
• CAD$80 million to replace the Sidney Centre for Plant Health; and
• CAD$149.3 million over five years to renew core food safety inspection programming delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The CPMA is also pleased to see the federal government remains committed to expanding trade opportunities with new and emerging markets, including China, and finalizing a new Canada Free Trade Agreement with the provinces and territories.

“A dynamic Canadian produce industry will ensure our exporters have access to world markets and that Canadian consumers are provided with the best quality produce at the best possible value,” said CPMA president Ron Lemaire.

CPMA will continue to push the Canadian government for payment protection for Canada’s fresh fruit and vegetable
industry, as well as the re-establishment of Canada’s preferential access to protections under the United States’ Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), which was lost in October 2014.

CPMA is hopeful additional funding to the Treasury Board Secretariat to help align Canadian policies with international regulations will lead to such a reinstatement.

The association also urges the federal government to create a health policy statement that supports the goal of increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption of Canadians by 20% within five years.

Such an increase would be the equivalent of one additional serving a day for all Canadians and would help reduce Canadians’ risk of chronic disease and excess weight.

"Canada is the only G7 country without some form of national fruit and vegetable health policy,” Lemaire said.

"We want to work with the government to increase produce consumption to improve the health of all Canadians.”

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