Sustainable Agriculture - Agricultural Institute of Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Third Sustainable
Development Strategy - Sustainable Agriculture: Our Path
Forward
Kathy Wilson, Agri-Environmental Policy Bureau
Agricultural Institute of Canada Conference
November 6 - 9, 2005

Presentation Overview
• What is Sustainable Development (SD)?
• The Government of Canada’s actions towards SD
• Sustainable Agriculture
• AAFC Sustainable Development Strategies
• Canada’s National Agricultural Policy Framework (APF)
• Environment Pillar
• Economic Pillar
• Social Pillar
• Integrating SD Principles into Departmental Operations
• Moving Forward
• Conclusion

What is Sustainable Development?
Definition: development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs
(Brundtland Commission, Our Common Future, 1987)
Which means: decision making that takes into
account the economy, society and the
environment in an integrated and sustainable way

The Government of Canada’s actions
towards sustainable development
• The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable
Development (CESD)
• Requirement for departments to prepare sustainable
development strategies (SDS)
• The National Round Table on the Environment and the
Economy (NRTEE)

Sustainable Agriculture
Ensures a safe
& high quality
supply of
agricultural
products
Safeguards the
livelihood & wellbeing
of
agriculture & agrifood
businesses,
workers & their
families
Preserves
water, soil & air
quality &
conserves
biodiversity
Protects
the natural
resource
base
Contributes to
economic &
social well being
of Canadians

AAFC Sustainable Development Strategies
First Strategy (1997) Agriculture in Harmony with
Nature: Strategy for Environmentally Sustainable
Agriculture and Agri-Food Development in Canada
and Profile of Production Trends and Environmental
Issues in Canada's Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector
Second Strategy (2000) Agriculture in
Harmony with Nature II: Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada’s Sustainable
Development Strategy 2001-2004

Canada’s National Agricultural Policy
Framework (APF) – The basis for AAFC’s departmental
approach to sustainable development
AAFC’s partnership in the APF, with its
integrated environmental, economic
and social dimension, is AAFC’s third
SDS (2004)
Environment
Economic
Environment
Food Safety &
Quality
Renewal
Science &
Innovation
Social
Business Risk
Management
International

Environment Pillar
Sustaining our natural resources for today and for the future
To achieve environmental goals, AAFC will implement
activities and programs categorized as:
• Policy and Strategic Development
• Knowledge and Information
• On-Farm Results

Economic Pillar
A strong and prosperous agriculture sector
APF Components that contribute to economic
sustainability include:
• Food Safety and Quality
• Renewal
• Science and Innovation
• Business Risk Management
• International

Social Pillar
Safe, vibrant communities filled with opportunities
Social dimensions are addressed through the following:
• Food Safety and Quality
• Renewal
• International Development
• Rural Communities
• Development of
social indicators

Integrating SD Principles into
Departmental Operations
AAFC will strive to lead by example to green its operations by:
• Adopting green procurement practices
• Improving the management of waste, water and wastewater
• Improving vehicle use
• Adopting best practices related to land management
• Developing emergency preparedness and response
programs

Moving Forward
• Federal departments and agencies are required to table
their next SDS in Parliament in December 2006
• Preparations for AAFC’s next SDS are underway
• Fourth SDS will build upon progress towards the APF
and through initiatives that enhance the integration of the
three pillars of sustainable development

Conclusion
• In order to make sustainable decisions, it is important
that policy makers consider all three pillars of SD –
economic, social and environment
• AAFC contributes to SD by basing its departmental
strategic plan on the APF
• AAFC has integrated SD into its operations
AAFC’s SDSs can be found at:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/sds-sdd/sds-sdd_e.phtml

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Third Sustainable
Development Strategy - Sustainable Agriculture: Our Path Forward
http://www.agr.gc.ca/sds-sdd/sds-sdd_e.phtml