Manitoba farmers are juggling a busy season of international trade meetings, local harvest challenges, and advocacy efforts in Ottawa.
Jill Verwey, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), has been representing the province’s agricultural community, tackling issues from labour shortages to global food security while preparing for the upcoming fall season.
International meetings strengthen trade ties
Verwey notes she recently attended the North American and European Union producer group meetings in Italy. The event is held every two years, with this year’s dates taking place from September 30 to October 2.
She says trade was top of mind during most conversations.
“We also talked about things that align us as producers and labour came up as one of the primary concerns, as well as food affordability, food security, and the supply network supply chain across the world for agriculture,” Verwey continues.
She notes the meetings are valuable for sharing concerns and solutions with producers worldwide.
“We’re always looking to expand our trade and reevaluate some of those irritants that might be there and come up with some solutions in order to strengthen that trading relationship right across the world.”
34th Tri-National Agricultural Accord
Before her trip to Italy, Verwey says she was in Mexico for the 34th Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Morelia from October 16 to 18.
“We actually met in Mexico City, and our own Minister of Agriculture here from Canada was there, as well as we had four of the agricultural ministers, including our own Minister of Agriculture, Minister Kostyshyn there as well,” she notes.
The discussions centred on supporting trade and strengthening North American agriculture.
“That upcoming renegotiation of the CUSMA agreement that is in place, or the USMCA as it’s known across the border. Really looking towards the importance of that agreement, keeping it in place, how important it is as an overall trading relationship that we have between the three countries,” she continues.
Labour concerns were again a key point.
“We talked about things that really strengthen us as North America and really looking towards moving forward and keeping that relationship in place because it really is important in all three countries,” Verwey adds.
Local priorities and fall meetings
Back in Manitoba, Verwey says finishing the harvest is top of mind.
“Unfortunately, Mother Nature, I don’t think is really helping out as far as finishing up this year’s harvest, but I think overall Manitoba producers, had a fairly good year this year,” she remarks.
Drought in some areas created challenges, she notes, and KAP’s upcoming fall meetings will provide a chance to discuss local issues and share updates from national and international agriculture.
“Looking forward to sitting down with producers as our annual meetings in the fall take place. I think at the end of the day, we share a lot of the same concerns going forward and hoping to answer questions at those fall meetings, as well as updating them on what’s happening, nationally, as well as internationally on the ag side,” Verwey continues.
Verwey adds that she will also head to Ottawa soon for lobbying efforts with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
“To reassure that we have strong voices in Ottawa and we’ll bring up concerns in agriculture to make sure that they’re aware how important agriculture is here in Canada,” she says.
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