Activities & Projects

Crops Sector Working Group
Formerly the Crops Environmental Strategy, the overarching goal for the Crops Sector Working Group is to develop crop-sector policies to guide appropriate land/water management practices and to advocate for specific actions. As well, the group will provide crop-sector information to members of the Alberta Agri-Environmental Partnership and the Alberta Institute for Agriculture, Forestry and the Environment so they can effectively respond to emerging policy issues.

For additional information see:

Partners: Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Soft Wheat Producers, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers, Alberta Conservation  Tillage Society, Alberta Oats, Rye, and Triticale Association, Potato Growers of Alberta, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Wild Rose Agricultural Producers.

Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta (AEPA)

The Agri-Environmental Partnership of Alberta is a partnership of provincial, federal and rural governments, several major agriculture industry organizations and key public stakeholders. AEPA’s vision: to see Alberta’s agriculture industry is profitable, accountable and recognized for its pro-active and responsible environmental stewardship. Partners are working towards achieving three common outcomes:

Partners: Alberta Egg Producers, Alberta Milk, Alberta Hatching Egg Producers, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Chicken Producers, Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, Alberta Pulse Growers, Alberta Ranched Elk, Alberta Pork, Alberta Sheep and Wool Commission, Potato Growers of Alberta, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Wild Rose Agricultural Producers.

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC)

The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is a national organization comprised of major grain and oilseed commodity groups that stretch across the country.  GGC is devoted to representing grain and oilseed producer interests in national policy development.  Current GGC activities and initiatives include:

Grain transportation woes need immediate attention
There have been calls by various farm groups for railway service and costing reviews in recent days.

"Farmers are concerned about costs of transportation, but the bigger issue is whether we are receiving an appropriate level of service for the price we pay," said Ross Ravelli, president of the Grain Growers of Canada. "While we all want to pay less for freight, the reality is we are also losing a lot of money by not being able to ship on a timely basis to premium markets. This is especially truein the special crops sector." See full media release.

Decision to remove KVD will spur greater investment in wheat research and development
The Grain Growers of Canada are pleased to see the federal government remove KVD as a registration criterion for new wheat varieties in western Canada. This move will promote innovation in wheat research and add greater value for farmers and other players throughout the wheat value chain. See full media release.

Grain Growers of Canada call on Minister Ritz to move quickly on choice for barley
Ross Ravelli, president of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) called on Minister Gerry Ritz, Federal Minister of Agriculture, to move quickly in implementing choice in barley marketing.

“Today, one of our key partners in the barley value chain has called for the end of the barley monopoly under the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB),” said Ravelli. “Malting companies are a critical market for us and integral to the success of western farmers.

“Often located in close proximity to producers, malting plants in Western Canada both decrease our transportation costs for raw products and just as importantly add value and jobs in our communities.” See full media release.

Industry partners are: Alberta Oat Rye and Triticale Association, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission, Atlantic Grains Council, British Columbia Grain Producers Association, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Manitoba Corn Growers Association, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association Western Barley Growers Association (WBGA).

Feed Grain Summit

This program is creating new mechanism(s) for livestock feeders, feed and feed-ingredient manufacturers, by-product manufacturers and crop producers to partner with research and government to jointly develop, implement and invest in solutions to improve feed competitiveness.

Partners: Alberta Pork, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Cattle Feeders Association, Alberta Milk, Alberta Pulse Growers,  Alberta Canola Producers Commission , Alberta Soft Wheat Producers, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers.

World Trade Organization – Doha Round Negotiations

The Alberta Barley Commission has partnered with other organizations to work towards a World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement that gives Canadian agricultural producers fairer access to markets around the globe and systematically reduces barriers to international trade. Among the partners’, current and recent activities and initiatives are:

Alberta Barley Commission praises new WTO text
Alberta’s barley growers came a step closer to gaining access to new export markets and trade opportunities this past week.

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) release of the Revised Draft Modalities for Agriculture “clearly addresses major concerns we’ve had throughout the seven-year trade negotiations,” Doug Robertson, chairman of the Alberta Barley Commission, said. Those concerns include reductions in trade-distorting domestic supports, improved market access and an end to export subsidies.

“Nine out of ten farmers in Canada rely on exports, but trade barriers and protective practices have effectively shut us out of many trade opportunities around the world,” Mike Leslie, the Commission’s CEO, said. “We have taken our message for free trade to the WTO’s Doha negotiations on several occasions and are very encouraged by the direction the agreement appears to be heading.” See full media release

Canadian agricultural exporters seek ambitious outcome at WTO negotiations
Canada’s agricultural and agri-food exporters are seeking an ambitious outcome in the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) six-year-long agricultural negotiations. Their goal: to see a WTO agreement that gives Canadian agricultural producers fairer access to markets around the globe and systematically reduces trade barriers.

“Canadian agriculture as a whole cannot afford to be excluded from these negotiations – our agricultural products, commodities and interests need to be included in whatever agreements may be reached,” said Mike Leslie, CEO of the Alberta Barley Commission. “Our largest barley customers, the beef and pork industries, need improved access to be competitive! We estimate increased access to market could generate billions of dollars of additional export value each year for Canadian agricultural producers.”
 
Leslie was at WTO trade talks in Geneva in January 2008 with Keith Lancastle, the executive director of Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA); Darcy Davis, of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association; Martin Rice, the executive director of Canadian Pork Council; and representatives of the Alberta Government. The organizations are committed to seeing the Canadian government and Canadian agricultural exporters “at the table” during this week’s negotiations with other WTO member countries. See full media release

Trade hopes rise (again) with latest WTO draft
Alberta’s barley growers came a step closer to gaining access to new export markets and trade opportunities in February 2008 with the World Trade Organization’s release of the Revised Draft Modalities for Agriculture.

The draft was put forward February 8, 2008 by WTO ag negotiations chairman Crawford Falconer of New Zealand, the same time as chairman Don Stephenson of Canada issued a new draft for non-agricultural market access (NAMA).

The new ag text “clearly addresses major concerns we’ve had throughout the seven-year trade negotiations,” says Doug Robertson, chairman of the Alberta Barley Commission. Those concerns include reductions in trade-distorting domestic supports, improved market access and an end to export subsidies. See full article in Barley Country January 2008 (page 3).

Looking forward to an agreement in 2008
Over the last several months, CAFTA has maintained an ongoing presence in Geneva and has continued to monitor developments in the WTO negotiations.

In Geneva and around the world, there is increasing recognition that an agreement to conclude the Doha Round is badly needed. A WTO agreement will provide a systematic approach to counter ongoing trade distortions and to help prevent further erosion in market conditions.

Canada’s exporters continue to deal with the impacts of trade distorting measures introduced by other countries. The recent decision by the E.U. to reintroduce export subsidies for pork is just one example of this. Beef exporters continue to face major barriers accessing key markets – including the E.U., Japan and Korea. Closer to home, Canada and Brazil have been forced to seek a WTO panel on U.S. domestic support programs.

The reality is clear, a WTO agreement represents Canada’s “best chance” to counter trade distortions and to benefit from stabilized market conditions. That is why CAFTA continues to press for an agreement, and remains engaged in the WTO process. See full CAFTA update.

WTO suspends trade talk; 18 ag countries push for new rounds
Worldwide grain prices are expected to remain low and access to global markets remain static following the World Trade Organization’s July 2006 suspension of the Doha round of international trade negotiations.

For numerous grain producers from around the world – including Alberta’s barley producers – the negotiations were seen as a way of “leveling the playing field” and reducing the substantial supports and protective measures countries such as the U.S.A. and those in the European union give their domestic producers.

In June, a team representing Alberta agriculture producers (among them the Alberta Barley Commission) and government representatives travelled to Geneva, Switzerland to press for changes in WTO rules to reduce quota tariffs and trade-distorting subsidies.

Among one of the major changes the team advocated was to the U.S. Farm Bill, which has put more than $10 billion into the hands of American corn growers but has driven down world feed-grain prices – including Alberta barley’s – to record lows. See full article in Barley Country Fall 2006 (page 2).

Alberta agricultural producers speak out on Canada’s position at WTO negotiations
Several Alberta agricultural producers feared Canada’s position at the World Trade Organization’s round of negotiations in May 2006 would make it impossible for Canadian farmers to compete in the global marketplace.

Contrary to the purpose and goals of five years of negotiations by the WTO and an election promise by the current Conservative government, Canada’s WTO negotiating team recently began asking “for flexibility in not reducing” over-quota tariffs on a number of agricultural commodities.

The request came only days after representatives of the Alberta Barley Commission, the Alberta Beef Producers, the Alberta Pork Producers, the Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission and the Western Barley Growers Association wrapped up a series of meetings in Geneva in April calling for a reduction in quota tariffs and trade-distorting subsidies. Indeed, the groups − known as Team Alberta − left Geneva believing Canada’s negotiating team was planning a much different stance. See full media release.

Partners: Alberta Pork, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers, Western Barley Growers Association, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Grain Growers of Canada, Alberta Grain Commission.

Water For Life/Wetland Policy Response
This alliance presents the views of the province’s agriculture sector during the Alberta Water Council’s Wetland Policy discussions, and ensures the sector’s needs are reflected in subsequent policy decisions.

Partners: Intensive Livestock Working Group (Alberta Pork, Alberta Egg Producers, Alberta Hatching Egg Producers, Alberta Milk, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Turkey Producers, Alberta Chicken Producers, and the Alberta Cattle Feeders' Association, Alberta Canola Producers Commission, Alberta Pulse Growers.

Barley Health Claim Coalition
This project aims to have barley recognized as a “healthy” grain. Coalition members and other industry stakeholders are working together so that they can ultimately educate consumers about the healthy benefits of barley, and make barley more competitive in the marketplace.

Health claim efforts continue
The Alberta Barley Commission’s efforts to have barley recognized as a “healthy” grain continued throughout summer 2007. The Commission is working with the Canadian Barley Food Coalition to obtain approval from Health Canada.

In December 2005, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration approved a similar claim for barley.

The Commission and the Coalition have teamed with Dr. Nancy Ames of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Cereals Research Centre in Winnipeg to assess evidence for supporting the claim. Ames is examining a wide variety of information from around the world about barley’s effects on human and animal health, and the effects of cereal grain on cholesterol.

In compiling her assessment of acceptable studies and information, Ames is considering: the consistency of observations and effects; the levels (or doses) of barley consumed; the feasibility of consuming the actual dosages; and the demographics or characteristics of targeted consumers.

Her final report will provide definitive scientific evidence that strengthens the Commission’s and the coalition’s application to Health Canada.

Meanwhile, the Commission continues to gather support from Coalition members and other industry stakeholders so that they can ultimately educate consumers about the healthy benefits of barley, and make barley more competitive in the marketplace. See Barley Country October 2007 for original article. Also see Health Claim.

Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta Advanced Research Institute, Advantage Seeds, AgFusion, Alberta Grain Commission, Atlantic Grains Council, Bramhill Seeds Ltd., C&M Seeds, Canada Grains Council, Canadian International Grains Institute, Canadian Seed Growers Association, Canadian Wheat Board, Ceapro Inc. Cribit Seeds/ Whitemar Grains, Flax 2020 (Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission), Flaxolaa Health Food Products, Grain Growers of Canada, Hamilton’s Barley Flour, InfraReady Products,  JRI (Pioneer Grain Company and Canbra Foods), JRK Farms, Oat & Barley Council of Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board, Planet Foods, Rahr Malting Canada Ltd. Viterra (formerly Saskatchewan Wheat Pool), University of Alberta, Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Manitoba (Richardson Centre), University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre, Western Barley Growers Association.