Future of research, regulations among topics discussed during Federal Ag Minister’s visit to Saskatchewan

Federal Agriculture Minister Heath McDonald kicked off a two-day visit to Saskatchewan Tuesday with a stop at the University of Saskatchewan.

 

McDonald toured the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and afterward met with industry stakeholders. The discussions were focused on research with 16 representatives participating in the discussions, both in-person and virtually.

 

The federal government received heavy criticism for plans to close seven Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities across the country. These include a major Research and Development Centre at Lacombe, Alberta, satellite research farms at Scott and Indian Head in Saskatchewan, as well as Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The planned closures are part of broader federal budget cuts.

 

Farmer organizations and research scientists have been lobbying to keep the facilities open by looking at alternative measures. MacDonald is listening to what they are saying.

 

"When these closures started, the discussion, it was very apparent that people became upset and so on and so forth, but as we move forward into this, I think we're starting to see a vision formed and it's with organizations that I just spoke with that are forming that vision that are outlining some of the changes that government should make." he said.

 

McDonald says it's an opportunity to make changes and do things differently, especially when it comes to regulations.

 

"Right now government sees it as an opportunity to change, to make some changes, and whether that's research, science, regulations, it doesn't matter. It's an opportunity right now. Let's make a shift. Let's be the forefront and let's be leaders around the world in science and research." he said.

 

McDonald is in Regina Wednesday to meet with Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit.

 

On the agenda will be discussions about the next agricultural policy framework which will cover risk management, innovation and sustainability for the five year period between April 2028 and March 2033.

 

MacDonald was also scheduled to be present for the official grand opening of the Cargill canola processing facility on Wednesday.

 

(With files from Neil Billinger, CJWW)