Rachel Peterson
Communications and Policy Coordinator Ph: (780) 955-3714 ext. 226 Click to email
For almost a decade, the Agriculture and Food Council (AFC) has been involved in developing policy options aimed at addressing environmental issues affecting the long-term growth and sustainability of the agri-food industry on land use and stewardship. Our latest report Agri-Environmental Perspectives: Land Use and Stewardship Policy in Alberta’s Agri-Food summarizes our important contribution and legacy.
In 2000, the Council partnered with the provincial government to sponsor Ag Summit 2000, in which land use and environmental stewardship were identified as high industry priorities.
From 2000 to 2002, Council members participated in the Agrivantage Environmental Stewardship and Land Use Core Action Teams to understand the scope of land use and stewardship in the industry, and presented recommendations to industry and government to position Alberta "ahead of the curve" in these areas.
The Council’s AGSASI (Ag Summit and Agrivantage Strategic Initiative, 2003-2005) continued with consultation, research, and information sharing with stakeholders to better explore the opportunities and challenges related to land use and environmental stewardship policy with two objectives:
assess options for land use policy and legislation that can be consistently applied and will balance various interests, and
examine if and how value can be ascribed to the rural environment and assess ways in which EG&S can be incorporated into the agriculture economy
EPIP (Environmental Policy Initiatives Project, 2006-2009) built on and carried forward this research by identifying what is needed for adoption of innovative policy instrument through public consultation, discussion, and publications.
The Council is proud of its contribution on advancing innovative policy options for a sustainable agri-food industry and agricultural land base in Alberta that will remain profitable for future generations.
Effective April 1, 2009, AFC has concluded its environmental policy initiatives. However, we perceive there are a number of issues yet to be addressed, some urgent and requiring explicit policy direction, commitment and collaboration. From our experience and intensive activity in these areas, AFC would like to offer the following observations on priorities and gaps for consideration by industry and government:
clear distinction between policies aimed at minimizing environmental degradation and those for rewarding and enhancing land stewardship that provides environmental goods and services (EG&S);
complementary land stewardship policies for the conservation of undisturbed land and policies for the preservation and enhancement of agricultural land managed in a sustainable way;
increased government support for land management practices with low private rewards but high public benefits;
long-term policies that bundle EG&S understanding the multifunctionality of agriculture in the stewardship of land, water, air, and biodiversity;
frameworks for cross-sectoral collaborations and community approaches, beyond individual and voluntary actions;
addressing a number of issues from the agriculture’s industry point of view such as climate change; agriculture’s relationship to the oil and gas industry; water, irrigation, and wetland issues; energy dependency on renewable sources; energy efficiency; urban sprawl and planning; and clarification on property rights.
The agri-food industry and society are calling for action, implementation and policy integration. Addressing the current challenges successfully will require commitment, leadership, improved communication and awareness, wide-ranging consultation, and balanced ecological, economic, and social perspectives.
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Other publications:
2008 – Reviewing Land Use and Environmental Stewardship in Agriculture: Observations from the 2007 Public Consultation
2005 – Recognizing and Supporting Environmental Stewardship within the Agri-Food Industry
2005 – Land Use Policy and the Agri-Food Industry in Alberta Agriculture and Food Council
2002 – Environmental Stewardship Strategic Action Plan
2002 – Towards the Development of a Provincial Land Use Strategy for Alberta
2002 – Building Tomorrow Together
