Organization’s Role in Public Safety

• The agri-food sector has built a strong reputation for products consumers around the world can rely on. To sustain growth, the sector is responding to ever-changing consumer demands. To do so, AAFC has engaged industry partners and provincial and territorial governments to develop a strategic vision which will ensure the long-term success and growth of Canadian agriculture. The ultimate goal is for Canada to become the world leader in food safety, innovation, and environmentally responsible production. To realize this vision, most governments have agreed to implement the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF). Composed of five elements: food safety and food quality, environment, science and innovation, renewal, and business risk management the framework will entail important benefits for the sector and the general public alike, including:

Key Public Safety Activities

1. Security of the Food System
• The Food Safety and Food Quality element of the APF will provide the policy platform for governments and all parts of the sector to work together to develop a food product tracking and tracing system to assist the agriculture and agri-food sector to manage risks associated with food safety, ensure the safety of products, help open new markets and maintain existing market share.
• It will also encourage producers to be proactive and take greater responsibility for managing the risks facing their farming operations by enhancing on-farm food safety through adoption of plans based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach.
2. Health of the Environment
• AAFC is working with partners in industry and government to develop science-based tools that clean our water and air and contribute to the quality of our food. The main tools are environmental farm plans and beneficial farming practices that reduce the impact farm pesticides, fertilizers and animals on the quality of our water, air and food. Tools also include technical skills in environmental production and management regarding things like the relationship between surface and ground water quality or between food safety and agricultural production. Measurement and monitoring are also undertaken to track the impact of agriculture on the environment and, in particular, of the farming practices that mitigate that impact.
3. Innovation for Growth
• Through the APF, AAFC will: enhance research and development efforts in the environment, food safety and quality, renewal and risk management,
• improve processes and technologies that enhance food safety in the production of new and improved fresh and processed food products; and
• develop the knowledge and technologies that minimize the impact of agricultural production on soil, air, water and biodiversity.