Trade and labour dominate discussions at Ag. ministers meeting
Canada’s trade dispute with the United States is of big concern to Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector, according to the province’s Deputy Agriculture Minister.
Rick Burton attended the provincial and territorial agriculture ministers meetings last week in Vancouver, and said talk around trade and tariffs was one of the big items on the agenda. Burton said he has been hearing a lot of anxiety from Saskatchewan producers.
“Not just about the outcome of NAFTA modernization but also some of the more recent trade disputes whether that’s durum in Italy or pulses in India,” Burton said.
In addition to trade talks, ministers also discussed business risk management. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced a renewed $55 milli program which he said will help protect farmers against business risks they face. Burton said the funding will help develop some private sector risk management tools, recommended by the business risk management external panel.