Ministry of Agriculture
Service Plan
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.
- Agri-Food Futures Funds (AFFF): Lead/Rep for MAFF on AFFF Advisory Committees.
- Industry Trust Funds: Invited MAFF representative on the boards of industry trusts/councils.
- 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 Ministry of Agriculture 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
- Overall Industry
- Sector Analyses
Undertake B.C. Agri-food Research Initiatives
- Promote Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) Science & Innovation goals in B.C.
- Provide Coordination role for B.C. agri-food research.
- 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:
- Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Review
- Employment Standards Act (ESA) Review
- Energy costs review/initiative
- Greater Vancouver Regional Development (GVRD) Emissions Review
- Ministry of Forest (MOF) Range Review
Support BC Ministry of 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.
- Minister’s Advisory Council on the Food Industry
