The National Farm Products Council will soon renew its strategic plan to include the period of 2003-2006. The plan, an update on the 2000-2003 plan, will help NFPC to fulfill its mandate of strengthening Canadian agriculture and agri-food.

Council will consider many current trends and developments, including the consultations on the Agricultural Policy Framework, the recent work of the Forum on Global Awareness, and the current project on corporate governance. Council will also have an opportunity to review its legislated mandate, the evolution of the orderly marketing sector, and the work of the national agencies and associations.

The Council will also reflect on its role in the potential creation of more promotion and research agencies like the recently established Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency.

The Council will address the strategic planning process at its September meeting and subsequently distribute a draft plan for review and comment by the national marketing agencies, the beef promotion and research agency, and other stakeholders.

A revised plan will be brought forward during the winter for implementation in the next fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2003.

Improving Governance

If you've ever wondered why the NFPC operates the way it does, you'll soon have a clear, understandable explanation. The Council is developing a manual on governance, which will describe the Council's role and how it carries out its duties. The manual will also help members to understand their role as advocates for the public interest.

The manual is being developed with the excellent input received from the national marketing agencies and other stakeholders last winter, for which Council renews its appreciation.

Applause, Applause

Council congratulates Wayne Morrison on his re-election as CPEPC president in June. It also congratulates Don Brookbank and Scott Cummings, the new members of the executive.

Council Business

In a meeting conducted alongside the CPEPC session, Council prior-approved an amendment to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Quota Regulations for period A-47. It also prior-approved an amendment to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Levies Order, a housekeeping correction that had been sought by CFC.

Council also received the report from the Forum on Global Awareness, the cross-Canada meetings on trends and developments that may affect the poultry sector. Now that the report has been distributed to industry stakeholders, Council looks forward with interest to hearing how the industry will respond to the report's implications.

The Council will also draw upon the report during its strategic planning this summer and fall.

Beef Agency Update

The Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency recently gave Council representatives an overview of its business plan. Council vice-chairperson Ron O'Connor and executive director Terry Hayward met with Marlin Beaver, the Agency president, Dick van der Byl, the vice-president, and Gina Grosenick, the executive director.

O'Connor and Hayward also toured the Cargill beef plant and two feed lots in High River, Alberta to expand the Council's knowledge about the beef cattle industry.

Wilkinson Wins International Appointment

Congratulations go to Jack Wilkinson on his election as president of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). He is a former IFAP vice-president, and rose to the top position at the Federation's recent meeting in Cairo.

Wilkinson is also president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and a past president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

IFAP promotes international co-operation between producer organizations and provides advice to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

MPs and Senators Make Recommendations

The Commons agriculture committee has issued a report on the future government role in agriculture. Among other things, the report makes a link between national security and the provision of safe, affordable agricultural produces. As well, the Senate agriculture committee has issued a report with several recommendations including a call for predictable funding assistance for Canadian agriculture and periodic policy reviews. Both reports are on-line at www.parl.gc.ca

Deadline for Japan Food 2002

The deadline is July 1^st for Canadian suppliers who want to exhibit at the largest international food show in western Japan. The Japan Food 2002 exhibition is scheduled for October 23-26 in Osaka, Japan's second-largest city after Tokyo. The show brings together buyers from across the food industry.

Two years ago, the exhibition drew 81,000 visitors from 24 countries and regions.

The show has a Web site at www.fair.or.jp

Hong Kong Trade Mission Booking Now

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office has organized a Canadian trade mission for November 8-11, 2002. The events program includes opportunities for Canadian exporters to meet potential business partners in a number of Hong Kong and Mainland China sectors, including biotechnology. The trade mission organizers note that China is poised to become the world's largest market, with a population approaching 1.3 billion.

Trip details are on-line at www.hketo.ca/trademission

USDA Pegs Booming Central American Markets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted in a recent report that Guatemala and El Salvador have emerged as rapidly growing markets. In fact, U.S. agricultural exports into the four northern countries in Central America – Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize – topped US$783 million, up 8.7% from the year before. Soaring poultry meat exports played a significant role in driving trade.

USDA notes that Central American markets are easy to reach, ready for new products, and trade-friendly. As the report says, "dozens of new supermarkets have been opened containing miles of shelf space to be filled with processed foods produced by companies like yours."

See the report at www.fas.usda.gov/scripts/gd.asp?ID=145683791

MEETINGS
July 8-10	CEMA Meeting (Saskatoon, SK)
July 9-11	CBHEMA Meeting (Charlevoix, QC)
July 16-18	CFC Meeting (St. John's, NFLD)
August 10	Canadian Cattlemen's Association Meeting (Winnipeg, MB)
Sept. 10-11	National Farm Products Council Meeting (Ottawa)
Sept. 18-19	CEMA Meting (Ottawa)
Sept. 22-27	International Egg Commission Annual Meeting (Seville, Spain)
Sept. 25-26	CTMA Meeting (Toronto, Ont)