Canada and its international partners stood united at the recent G7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Stuttgart, Germany, from May 13 to 14, 2022.
Meeting in person for the first time since 2017, G7 Ministers of Agriculture met with the Minister of Agriculture from Ukraine and expressed their solidarity with the people and farmers of Ukraine. The G7 Ministers condemned Russia's invasion and discussed the war's effect on fertilizer availability, food prices and global food security. In addition, supply chain resilience, environmental sustainability, and agricultural trade were top of mind for the agriculture ministers in attendance, including Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau. The world is interconnected; challenges in one country affect all countries, and the challenges are too big for any single country to tackle alone.
Speaking with her counterparts, Minister Bibeau reaffirmed Canada's commitment to step up and do its part.
"We are fortunate to have bountiful natural resources and a strong agriculture and agri-food sector that produces high-quality, nutritious, and delicious food," she said. "Canada has an important role to play in helping to feed the world, to address climate change, and to support international initiatives."
Global cooperation
The Minister announced Canada's intention to double its funding to the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS). AMIS is a platform launched by the G20 in 2011 to enhance food market transparency and responses to food security issues. AMIS brings together the principal trading countries of agricultural commodities to assess global food supplies to provide a platform to coordinate action in times of uncertainty. Germany and the United States joined Canada in increasing investments in AMIS, to expand its coverage of the international fertilizer market with a view to help reduce price volatility and to fight global hunger. Given high prices and supply disruptions, this new information will help all countries make informed decisions when it comes to fertilizer.
Bilateral meetings
While at the G7, Minister Bibeau met one-on-one with her counterparts, discussing ways to increase trade and improve supply chains, as well as ways to create more inclusive and resilient food systems.
Speaking with the Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, Minister Bibeau reiterated Canada's commitment to work with the G7 countries to step up efforts to help Ukraine continue its agricultural production for the upcoming harvest season, including supporting alternative routes for exports.
There are numerous agricultural challenges at present for the world to take on, said the Minister.
"There is tremendous opportunity as we work together with our partners," she said. "Addressing climate change, for instance, is an opportunity for innovation in sustainable practices and technology."
Minister Bibeau also highlighted several recent AAFC programs and investments designed to reduce food loss and waste and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during her bilateral discussions with G7 partners.
Overall, the G7 was the site of important conversations to tackle the challenges of today to ensure a better tomorrow.
"Canada remains a committed partner in agricultural trade, global food security, and action on climate change," said Minister Bibeau.
For more information: AAFC's News Release as well as the G7 Agricultural Ministers' Communique: Pathways Towards Sustainable Food Systems in Times of Crises.
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