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Minister Bibeau concludes AIM4C climate summit, has discussions re: matters such as “Product of USA” labelling requirements
(May 11, 2023 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada News Release) The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Honourable MarieClaude Bibeau, yesterday wrapped up a threeday visit to Washington where she participated in the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) global summit. Minister Bibeau joined Ministerial counterparts and delegates from over 40 countries to discuss the need for greater investment in climate-smart agriculture to address climate change and global hunger.
The Minister highlighted the leadership Canada is taking to reduce the impact of climate change in agriculture through investments in clean technology, best management practices, and research and innovation. She also reinforced the message that agriculture should be a prominent topic at the climate change Conference of Parties (COP) next fall in Dubai.
She also used this forum to announce $2 million for the creation of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Network on Sustainable Agriculture in a Net-Zero Economy, in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council as part of the $100 million investment in agricultural research announced in Budget 2022. The network will mobilize Canadian expertise, technologies and practitioners to enhance and accelerate the pathway for agriculture to play a role in a netzero economy.
Minister Bibeau was a speaker at a high-level plenary session about the importance of bringing women into the heart of decisionmaking in agri-food systems. As seen through her different experiences, empowering women leads to more effective climate action and greater economic opportunities.
Minister Bibeau also announced that Canada will join the Agriculture Breakthrough, an initiative launched at COP26 in 2021. The Agricultural Breakthrough focuses on a series of actions to accelerate the transition towards clean technologies in the agricultural sector through enhanced international collaboration, cooperation and coordination.
On the margins of the Summit, the Minister held bilateral meetings with:
• U.S Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack
• Mexico Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Victor Villalobos
• Spain Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas
• Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Glenn “GT” Thompson, as well as formal and informal meetings with several ministerial counterparts, heads of international organizations and leaders of innovative research and technology companies
During her meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, Minister Bibeau shared priorities on resilient supply chains, and scienceand rules-based international trade. Proposed changes to the voluntary “Product of USA” labelling requirements for meat, poultry and egg products were discussed, with Minister Bibeau noting Canada’s concern that these could restrict trade and disrupt supply chains.
Minister Bibeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with the U.S. and Mexico to strengthen trade relationships through science-based decision making, including Canada’s recently announced updated guidance on plant breeding innovations and continued on page 8
