Released: April 4, 2002

Mission
Planning Context
Strategic Goals
Core Businesses
Priorities
Accountability and Internal Management
Budget Context
Outcomes and Outcome Measures

MISSION

To foster prosperous and sustainable agriculture and fisheries industries through the delivery of quality public services for the betterment of rural and coastal communities and of all Nova Scotians.

PLANNING CONTEXT

Agriculture and fisheries have been identified as vital economic sectors in the province's Economic Growth Strategy, "Opportunities For Prosperity." Despite challenges, these foundation industries remain crucial to the future of Nova Scotia's economy primarily because of efforts targeting growth and innovation. Agriculture, commercial and recreational fishing, and aquaculture drive the economy of our rural and coastal regions, employing over 28,000 Nova Scotians and contributing some $1.5 billion to the provincial economy. Close to 4500 farms produced $420 million in farm cash receipts in 2001. Seafood continues to dominate Nova Scotia exports, posting a new record of over $1 billion in 2001. Aquaculture is maintaining strong growth trends, having exceeded targeted production values by 39% for a total value of $ 55.4 million in 2001.

Agriculture and fisheries are progressive, innovative industries and their potential continues to grow. This potential will be realized by building on a solid foundation that encourages new technologies and product development, good stewardship and environmental responsibility, food safety, a supportive and effective regulatory climate, and meaningful education and training.

Challenges and Opportunities

During 2000-01, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries solidified the amalgamation of two resource departments: Agriculture and Marketing, and Fisheries and Aquaculture. As the department heads into 2002-03, it is facing a number of external and internal challenges, principally:

• the need to address environmental issues, particularly as they apply to management of the water resource and the sustainable development of the agriculture, aquaculture and fishing industries. Persistent drought conditions in the agricultural sector, competing rural interests in water use, access to suitable coastal waters for aquaculture development, concerns from the commercial fishery regarding oil and gas development in offshore and near-shore waters, and concerns from sportfishing groups have elevated the focus on issues of quantity, quality and access to water;
• food safety and the need to address demands from consumers for high quality, safe food and from industry for less ‘red tape' and fair treatment. To meet these demands, the department will need to improve the regulatory regime governing food production and evaluation, including product standards, food labeling and traceability, education, and research and analytical testing.
• industry growth and development and the need to pursue strategic priorities as indicated in Nova Scotia's Economic Development Strategy, Opportunities for Prosperity, particularly those related to growing exports, attracting new investment, expanding production, and encouraging innovation through new technology, research and value-added production. Our focus is to create a climate that will help sustain and grow wealth and jobs in our rural and coastal communities.
• education and training and the need to promote the role of the NS Agricultural College (NSAC) in providing quality education and training for a global labour market. In addition, existing and future agri-food industry members require access to quality lifelong learning and professional development opportunities. There is also a challenge and opportunity to build on the NSAC's current involvement in research, particularly climate change, organic farming and bio-engineering, and expand this activity and expertise.
• the need to address succession planning as 20 - 35% of our employees become eligible to retire over the next three to five years;
• the need to comply with the Government's fiscal agenda to balance the budget and meet the priority expectations of our direct client groups.

Department Organization

Employees and Locations

STRATEGIC GOALS

Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to supporting the Government of Nova Scotia's corporate goals and priorities, more particularly:

• Fiscal stability;
• Sustainable health care management;
• Growing the economy;
• Education and skills training; and
• Good management and professional public service.

1. Sustainable and environmentally responsible development of Nova Scotia's agriculture and fishing industries;
2. A competitive business climate that encourages economic growth and increases jobs in Nova Scotia's rural and coastal communities;
3. Orderly development of agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries through a regulatory regime which supports business and sector growth and development, and which ensures consumer confidence and food safety;
4. Globally competitive NS workforce through education, training, research and community services;
5. Public services that meet industry needs and are accountable for results achieved.

Sustainable resource management - balances industry development with environmental and social responsibility through applied research, technology transfer, generally accepted management practices, and industry/ public awareness.

Departmental activities in this core business are designed to move our agriculture and fishing industries closer to a state where the three principals of sustainability -- economically viable, environmentally sound and socially acceptable -- are in balance. In order to get there, the department will work with industry to promote standards of environmental stewardship among business operators. The department will also work to ensure that freshwater fish stocks and habitat are well managed and sufficiently protected so that anglers and nature lovers can continue to enjoy Nova Scotia's natural beauty. Education will be key in raising industry's awareness of environmental issues and the public's appreciation of the resource industries. Together, these efforts will help to sustain prosperity in agriculture, aquaculture, the fishery, and secure the future of the communities that rely on these industries.

Major program areas encompass:

• Resource stewardship including 4-H
• Aquaculture extension services
• Inland fisheries resource management
• Marine plant licensing and management
• Marine advisory and field services

Programs and services in this core business area are designed to assist NS's agricultural and fishing industries compete effectively in a highly competitive and global marketplace. The department will work with stakeholders to grow these industries and ensure that they continue to drive the economy of our rural and coastal regions. In order to achieve this long-term goal, the industries need to develop in a stable business climate so that they can implement long-range planning and manage change. The department wants to support and enhance the ability of our industries to become more efficient, and seize opportunities to innovate, expand and add value to their products. Tourism is important to Nova Scotia and the department wants the sportfishing sector and new opportunity areas, such as agri-tourism, to be drawing cards for attracting tourists to this province.

Major program areas include:

• Integrated risk management programs for the agriculture sector
• Farm investment and industry development
• Marine advisory and field services
• Marketing, trade and business development services,
• Product and quality development,
• Credit and financing services for agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries development,
• Aquaculture licensing/ leasing and development
• Freshwater fish stocking

Responsible governance - focuses on the orderly development of the industries through supportive legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Departmental efforts in this core business area are directed toward developing a legislative and regulatory environment that supports business, protects consumers, and minimizes impacts to the environment from resource development activity. To achieve this long-range goal, the department wants to ensure that legislation and regulations enable business development, that they are consistent and treat businesses equitably, and that they are not unnecessarily burdensome for business operators. An effective regulatory climate must also protect consumers, and the department wants to promote better product labeling, traceability, and adoption of recognized standards of food quality. Promoting proper food handling will minimize the risk of food-borne illnesses and increase consumer confidence in commercial food establishments and among the general public. Illegal fishing activities undermine the livelihood of legitimate commercial fish harvesters, and the department will work with federal partners to address this pressing issue.

Major programs and activities include:

• Enforcement of regulations governing licensed operations and mandated activities,
• Legislative and information management services
• Licensing of fish plants and buyers, retail food outlets and restaurants,
• Issuance of agricultural permits and licenses, and farm registration,
• Coordination of regulated marketing boards and increased industry awareness of market trends and challenges.

Education, training, skill development and life long learning - focuses on sustaining expertise and excellence in NS's agricultural, agri-food and aquaculture industries, and preparing Nova Scotians for a global labour market through teaching and community services.

The department offers a broad range of post secondary educational programs, training and research, and promotes environmentally responsible resource development. These efforts are aimed at stimulating industry growth, raising public awareness and promoting a greater appreciation of the value of agriculture and aquaculture to the economy of Nova Scotia. Major focus areas for academic and applied research include climate change, organic farming, product quality enhancement, soil and farm waste management. The NSAC is unique in its work on blueberry, carrot and fur animal (mink) research, which it conducts in partnership with the private sector.

PRIORITIES

Sustainable resource management

• Strengthen the capacity of client groups to deal with environmental risk management issues as they pertain to resource development;
• Promote research and innovative technology to address environmental issues as they apply to agriculture and aquaculture development;
• Encourage farming and harvesting practices that meet generally accepted standards of environmental risk management;
• Enhance the capacity of NS's agricultural and fishing industries to address and resolve resource use conflicts and challenges;
• Promote an image of agriculture, fishing and aquaculture as modern, progressive industries that are evolving and environmentally responsible;
• Manage inland fisheries resource according to principles of conservation.

Industry growth and development

• Strengthen the capacity of the agricultural industry to reduce market, environmental, financial and weather-related risks, and manage these risks more strategically and for the long-term;
• Ensure that Nova Scotia receives a fair share of the federally- managed marine resources;
• Support industry initiatives to expand, diversify, add value to products, services and technologies, and take advantage of emerging economic development opportunities;
• Support increased domestic and export sales of NS agri-food and seafood products, services and technologies;
• Provide stable, cost-effective financing to NS's farmers, commercial fishers and aquaculturists;
• Address industry and business development issues, such as revitalization, new entrants, succession planning and professionalization in the agriculture and fishing industries;
• Strengthen and encourage government/ industry investment initiatives and parallel program and policy directions within the NS Investment Framework.

Responsible governance

• Provide a quality evaluation service for industry in the areas of product standards, food safety, education, research and analytical testing in support of an integrated food safety program;
• Provide a legislative and information management system for departmental legislation/ regulatory requirements, appointments, FOIPOP and records management initiatives;
• Provide a licensing program for seafood processors/buyers, retail food outlets including restaurants, and coordinate the issuance of other agricultural permits and licenses under a policy and regulatory framework;
• Provide a compliance, investigative and enforcement capacity for the department in all areas of its legislative mandate, coordinating activities with other agencies and industry;
• Streamline the regulatory process so that it is more timely and responsive with focus on the Crop and Livestock Insurance and the Natural Products Act.

Education, training, skill development & life long learning -

• Increase NSAC research capacity by participating in the Canada Research Chairs Programs;
• Increase the capacity of students and NSAC staff to become leaders in a globalized food system;
• Continue to educate and train students for agriculture, aquaculture and related fields;
• Seek opportunities to further diversity curriculum offering to respond to opportunities in emerging life sciences, environmental engineering and biology, agricultural business, new and value-added product development, and aquaculture.
• Provide leadership development, organizational and decision making opportunities that will give both NS rural youth and industry tools to meet the challenges of sustainable resource development and become leaders of the future.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT

The department is accountable to the Government of Nova Scotia and to Nova Scotians for delivering programs and services within its mandated authority in an effective and efficient manner, and for reporting on results in a timely fashion. To achieve this overall objective, the department must ensure that it has knowledgeable, trained staff and a work environment that is safe and conducive to productivity.

Over the course of the next three to five years, a significant portion of staff will be eligible for retirement. In response to the need to address potential staffing issues, the department will undertake an assessment of challenges facing its human resource complement and develop a succession strategy.

Internal communications was identified as a priority for 2001-02, and planning and research were undertaken to design an Internal Communications Strategy. This plan will be implemented in 2002-03, and its effectiveness will be evaluated.

In accordance with requirements under the Financial Measures Act and Government-wide accountability initiatives, the department will report on the outcomes of its programs and services in publically available reports.

BUDGET CONTEXT