The agriculture industry in Alberta is pivotal to the provincial and federal economy, and the Alberta Federation of Agriculture is stepping up to support the more than 35,000 producers it represents.
The AFA released a statement last month urging provincial and federal leaders to provide further support to the agriculture industry, which remains under threat of imposition of tariffs from the United States.
In the statement, the AFA addressed numerous concerns about threats to the industry, such as tariffs, interprovincial trade barriers and international market diversification.
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“The agricultural sector in Alberta is an economic powerhouse that sustains thousands of families and communities. With the potential for punitive tariffs from the U.S., it is imperative that we take immediate action to ensure the survival and growth of our agricultural producers,” said Aaron Stein, the newly appointed executive director of the AFA.
“We must act now to protect this vital sector and ensure that Alberta’s farmers and ranchers continue to be a driving force in the provincial and national economy.”
With potential income fluctuations on the horizon if U.S. tariffs become a reality, the AFA is calling for an expansion of financial support for its producers through avenues such as AgriStability and the Agricultural Disaster Response Relief Program.
“These programs must be tailored to address the specific challenges posed by trade-related tariff threats,” the AFA statement said.
Another major point of concern was interprovincial trade hurdles.
The AFA said Alberta agriculture producers are often hindered by challenges surrounding inconsistent standards across provincial borders. An example given by the AFA cited a provincially licensed meat packing facility in Alberta potentially being unable to ship products to neighbouring provinces due to varying standards and practices.
“The AFA calls on both the provincial and federal governments to take action to harmonize these regulations and standardize permitting processes, allowing for smoother and more cost-effective trade across provincial lines. This will be crucial for improving Alberta’s agricultural competitiveness and reducing operational challenges for farmers and producers,” the statement read.
“While Alberta’s farmers and ranchers already face external trade pressures, internal trade barriers — such as discrepancies in regulations, permits and licensing practices between provinces — continue to limit efficiency and increase costs.”
Beyond domestic trade partnerships, the AFA also focused on diversifying the market for international trade.
“Strengthening relationships with emerging markets such as China, Japan, the (United Kingdom) and the European Union is essential for Alberta’s agricultural products to remain competitive on the global stage,” the AFA wrote.
Citing climate change concerns and shifting global markets, the AFA urged the provincial and federal governments to bolster agriculture infrastructure and technological innovation in Alberta and Canada as a whole with further investments.
“We would like to call on our provincial leaders to prioritize investment in an Agricultural Tech Cluster to enable and facilitate technological advancements that are immediately translational to the farm. This will leverage our strengths in basic research and propel the commercialization of advancements to ensure Alberta producers remain some of the most efficient, sustainable and productive producers in the world,” the statement said.
Alberta generated approximately $20 billion in agriculture-related gross domestic product in 2021, accounting for 30 per cent of the total Canadian agriculture revenues.
The province is home to more than 35,000 agriculture producers on about 50 million acres of farmland, making up about 32 per cent of Canada’s total farmland.
“As we face unprecedented challenges, it’s essential that we prioritize the interests of Alberta’s agricultural community and ensure our leaders are being proactive in their response. By working together to reduce internal trade barriers, increase market opportunities and invest in the future of agriculture, we can ensure that Alberta’s agricultural sector remains a leader in global markets,” Stein said.
