Industry Competitiveness Branch Service Plan - British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

The Industry Competitiveness Branch provides an advocacy role to ensure that BC farm interests are considered in government programs, services, regulations and international and inter-provincial trade negotiations and disputes; and that these industries receive a fair share of federal funding. The branch also facilitates industry-led research and market development activities.

Objective: Increased industry self-reliance and reduced dependence on government funding.

Key Strategies

Support, through various roles, a number of public-private partnerships (3Ps), that will address B.C. agri-food industry competitiveness issues through joint funding initiatives.

1. Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF): Pathfinder role for industry re: application process.

2. Agri-Food Futures Funds (AFFF): Lead/Rep for MAFF on AFFF Advisory Committees.

3. Industry Trust Funds: Invited MAFF representative on the boards of industry trusts/councils.

4. Feeder Loan Guarantee Program: support the establishment of B.C. Feeder associations.

Support the establishment and maintenance of industry-managed councils and levy systems, under the Farm & Fisheries Industries Development Act (FFIDA), that allow industry to raise internal funds to address industry competitiveness issues.

Provide youth capacity-building initiatives such as the 4H Partnership to build human resource skills and self-reliance capacity.

Objective: Increased public and industry access to information and expertise

Key Strategies: Provide Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) of all MAFF information & services (e-government) on a 24/7 basis.

Shift away from direct advisory services towards the InfoBasket initiative for all industry sectors.

Provide Industry Profiles: for each industry sector.

Undertake Competitiveness Studies & Strategic Analyses

1. Overall Industry

2. Sector Analyses

Undertake B.C. Agri-food Research Initiatives

1. Promote Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) Science & Innovation goals in B.C.

2. Provide Coordination role for B.C. agri-food research.

3 .Represent B.C. interests at Canadian Agriculture Research Council (CARC).

Objective: Reduced negative impacts on the sector from government regulation, taxes and policies.

Key Strategies: Examine all programs to reduce excessive regulation.

Develop a broad agriculture sector strategy in conjunction with Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management to remove impediments to agriculture sector economic growth.

Work with other government agencies to develop a B.C. Labour Market Adjustment Program for Seasonal Ag. Workers by March 2003.

Undertake Advocacy Role with respect to:

1. Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Review

2. Employment Standards Act (ESA) Review

3. Energy costs review/initiative

4. Greater Vancouver Regional Development (GVRD) Emissions Review

5. Ministry of Forest (MOF) Range Review

Support BCMAL Agriculture Regulatory Reform/Reduction Initiatives

Ensure that the appropriate authorities, on a timely basis, address complaints of the B.C. agri-food industry.

Organize industry consultations on competitiveness issues.

1. Minister’s Advisory Council on the Food Industry