Our federal Agriculture Minister is about to start the process.

 

The development of the next generation of Canada's Agricultural Policy Framework will begin this month.

 

Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl has announced a series of cross country consultations with industry stakeholders will begin this month.

 

The current A.P.F. expires in 2008.

 

The consultation process will  be divided into 3 phases with late 2006 by invitation only.

 

January and February 2007 will consist of public sessions which will be open to all interested stakeholders.

 

Round 3, commencing in March 2007, will revert to invitation-only working sessions and will focus on analyzing the input gathered during rounds 1 and 2.

 

An agreement in principle to a Framework on a separate Disaster Relief Program was also reached.

 

Strahl says a lot of work remains before the program can be launched, but this is a crucial first step.