Pillar I

Industry-led Solutions to Emerging Issues

Pillar I of the ACAAF program, "Industry-Led Solutions to Emerging Issues," expands the agriculture and agri-food sector's capacity to respond to current and emerging issues and to seize new opportunities through the implementation of national, multi-regional and regional projects that test new ideas and approaches. This includes the capacity to address new value-added products and processes which will enhance the sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector.

Pillar I provides the opportunity for industry projects which further advance progress to goals and objectives of a single or multiple elements of the Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) (e.g. Environment, Food Safety and Food Quality, Science and Innovation, Renewal) in a complementary manner without duplicating existing programming. In addition, Pillar I activities can act as an incubator for pilots or projects which address emerging issues or hold promise for setting the direction of future policy or program approaches.

Funding for applied research on an emerging issue that is recognized as an industry priority would be considered, with the condition that the project proposal demonstrates how results will be shared broadly among stakeholders.

Types of projects funded under Pillar I

Helping the sector take advantage of new opportunities from agricultural materials is an example of an emerging issue which could be funded under Pillar I. In addition, innovative projects related to issues such as "increased opportunities for Aboriginal producers in the sector", could potentially become collective outcome projects.

Funding for applied research on an emerging issue recognized as a sector need/priority could be considered, with the condition that the project proposal must demonstrate how results will be shared broadly, including timing of information dissemination and proposed information-sharing tactics.

Pillar I also supports approaches that advance programming in a single APF element, but do not duplicate current programming. To illustrate potential projects under Pillar I, the disposal of diseased livestock is an emerging issue that has resulted from unforeseen changes in the sector. Potential projects to address this issue also advance progress toward the Environment element of the APF.

Projects that cut across more than one APF element are also considered under Pillar I. For example, a proposal that would advance programming in the Food Safety and Quality element and also the Environment element of the APF could be eligible.