Welcome to the FIAP web site!

The Federal government, in conjunction with the provinces and industry representatives, has developed a broad farm income safety net framework. The Government of Canada's approach has been to develop such programs as Crop Insurance, Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA) and Canadian Farm Income Program (CFIP) that will provide farmers with support in dealing with income shortfalls while also helping them to prepare for the future with new programs and private risk management tools.

Programs such as CFIP and NISA are delivered directly by the Federal government through the Farm Financial Programs Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, while others such as Crop Insurance are delivered by the province.

Within the Strategic Policy Branch of AAFC, the role of the Farm Income and Adaptation Policy Directorate (FIAP) is to provide overall guidance and direction to the development of federal policies related to agricultural safety net programs. This Directorate works with industry groups and the provinces in terms of providing and reviewing analysis as well as carrying out ongoing work in the design of safety net programs and for developing new safety net programs, and disaster programs.

This Directorate, through the Policy Development Division, is also responsible for providing guidance and direction on the development of federal policies related to agricultural safety nets, risk management, farm finance, farm inputs, taxation, farm environmental protection and related areas. The Policy Development Division works with industry groups and the provinces to undertake research and analysis on the performance of safety net programs, and the development of new safety net income and disaster policies.

The Farm Income and Program Analysis Section of the Policy Development Division works with the provinces to develop short term forecasts of revenue expenses and income for the sector. These forecasts are used to monitor the
financial health of the industry and assess the need for changes to existing safety net programs. Information and data to assess the financial health of the industry and to design changes to safety net programs is collected through the Farm Data and Analysis Section of the Policy Development Division.

It is recognized that safety net programs may not be effective for all farmers. AAFC is the lead department for the design and delivery of adaption programs to help these individuals exit from agriculture. The Farm Financial Programs Branch is responsible for the delivery of adaptation programs. Research and analysis relating to the need for adaptation programs is carried out by FIAP.

The Policy Integration Division has three general areas of contribution:

• The Farm Adaptation Policy Section is a focal point for renewal, adaptation and transition policy development.

• The Farm Consultation Policy Section is a focal point for departmental consultation activity with industry representatives and advisory committees.

• The Policy Coordination Section provides evaluation and analysis to senior management to ensure departmental policy goals, program mechanisms, and outcomes, are properly aligned to support the operation of competitive, viable farm businesses.

Note: The 2001 Agricultural Census was released on May 15, 2002 and the details are available at the following Internet address:
http://www.statcan.ca/english/agcensus2001/index.htm

We are in the process of analyzing the data and, when available, the results will be found from the publications page.