Six national crop organizations are distancing themselves from the federal government's Sustainable Ag Strategy (SAS).
RealAgriculture has confirmed the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Pulse Canada, and Soy Canada have informed the government of their withdrawal from the SAS advisory committee.
The committee, established in late 2022, was tasked with helping the government create the strategy, which is supposed to serve as an over-arching plan for improving environmental outcomes in Canadian agriculture.
These six national groups and their member organizations represent nearly all conventional crop production and acres across the country.
"Canadian agriculture is the most sustainable in the world, and our organizations share the belief that any sustainability measures must be practical, science-based, market driven and beneficial for growers, the value-chain, and the environment.
"Our organizations have concerns about the government's current Sustainable Agriculture Strategy (SAS).
"Together, we have consistently voiced that there is a lack of industry alignment regarding the targets and actions proposed in the SAS. As a result, we have collectively decided to step back from the Advisory Committee, as the strategy's direction does not fully represent the interests of our members.
"We remain committed to working with the government on crucial areas such as market access, research investment, innovation, and supply chain resiliency to advance the sector's growth and sustainability," the groups say, in a joint statement sent to RealAgriculture.
The withdrawal letter from the six groups was sent to the government earlier this month, but was kept quiet until after a final meeting with government officials on Friday, Dec. 13.
Multiple sources say organizations representing other sectors of Canadian agriculture are considering withdrawing from the SAS committee on an individual basis.
Former agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau launched consultations on the strategy to coordinate environmental initiatives across Canadian agriculture in December 2022. The announcement included the creation of the advisory panel with representatives from 20 farm groups and environmental organizations.
The advisory group met regularly early on in the process, but stakeholders have been unable to reach an agreement on key aspects of what should be in the strategy, which has undergone several drafts.
A spokesperson for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says the department remains committed to finalizing the strategy.
According to AAFC, the advisory committee officially concluded its mandate this past summer, and AAFC is now working with stakeholders to complete the final stages of the strategy.
The committee met as recently as early November to review drafts of the strategy.
The AAFC spokesperson acknowledged the committee members provided "diverse perspectives throughout the engagement process..."
"Questions related to the participation of SAS-AC (Sustainable Ag Strategy Advisory Committee) members in this period of finalization should be directed to those organizations," they said.
Related: Quiet rollout of Sustainable Ag Strategy report sends a message
Sustainable Ag Strategy advisory panel members announced in 2022:
Canada Organic Growers
Egg Farmers of Canada
Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
Farmers for Climate Solutions
Canadian Canola Growers Association
Fertilizer Canada
Canadian Cattle Association
Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada
Canadian Pork Council
Grain Growers of Canada
Canadian Wildlife Federation
National Farmers Union
Canola Council of Canada
Nature United
Chicken Farmers of Canada
Pulse Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada
Union de producteurs agricoles
Ducks Unlimited
Soy Canada
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