Climate change will be an important issue in the consultations.   Ottawa—Farm and food groups should start submitting their ideas for making the next Agriculture Policy Framework (APF), which comes into effect April 1, 2023, better than the current one, says Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau. The five-year APFs set out the federal-provincial co-operation intended to help the agrifood sector prosper. Bibeau said she wants the consultation phase for the new one to get off to an early start so it's in operation on Day 1 and resonates with farmers and the rest of the sector. While the future of the Business Risk Management suite of programs is an important consideration, she wants to see what other ideas come from the sector and says recommendations from the Commons agriculture committee reports on Business Risk Management and Processing and the Industry Strategy Council report will be included in the preparation of the report. “We need to transition to new technology that protects both the farm and the environment. Sustainable policies need to take into account the increase in climate events that have become more frequent. Environmental solutions must be economic solutions as well.” It will aim to reinforce agrifood's role as a pillar of economic growth. Bibeau said it's time “to build new programs to support farmers, protect supply-management and take action on climate change that will make Canada a leader in sustainable growth. We really have to admit climate change exists and dealing with it should be a federal-provincial priority. We must adapt and build a sustainable agriculture.” Agriculture Canada will reach out to the sector during June to collect ideas that will be discussed during the federal-provincial agriculture ministers' meeting in September on a successor to the current $3 billion APF that supports programs and services that are tailored to meet regional needs. This includes a number of federal programs, as well as programs that are cost-shared between the federal and provincial governments on a 60:40 basis. The consultations with the agrifood sector should run until next spring, she said. During the consultations, which will be done virtually for now, Agriculture Canada is look for ideas on the current and emerging challenges and opportunities sector, comments on what works well with the current APF and what needs to be improved. Bibeau said the ongoing labour challenges facing the sector are an important issue for the APF consultations. Comments and recommendations can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Next Policy Framework, Agriculture Canada, 1341 Baseline Road, Tower 7, Floor 5, Room 300, Ottawa ON., K1A 0C5. There will also be discussions on the department's Twitter and Facebook pages. Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.