The AgGrowth Coalition has named its Chair and Vice Chair.

Chair Mark Brock, is also the Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, and Vice Chair, Jeff Nielsen, is the President of Grain Growers of Canada and farms in Olds, Ab.

The Coalition was formed in response to the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Agricultural Ministers' commitment to review Business Risk Management (BRM)  programs over the next year.

They're made up of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Grain Growers of Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, the National Sheep Network, and the Canadian Horticultural Council. Partnered with the Coalition, is the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Canadian Pork Council.

Vice Chair, Jeff Nielsen, says they are keeping in close contact with members of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to better explain who they are.

"We've been around for the last eight months through informal discussion. We finally took the final step, and instead of having conference calls, we had a face-to-face meeting, and just really outlaying our intent to work with the Government on their proposed review of Business Risk Management programming."

At their face-to-face meeting in Toronto, the Coalition agreed on a strategy to ensure meaningful participation of the agriculture industry in the BRM review.

AgGrowth has also committed to undertake research to actively support the BRM review process.

"The AgGrowth coalition has created an industry business risk management committee to conduct research and analysis, develop policy positions, and ultimately present options for improvement from a farmer perspective. We would like to do this in partnership with government."

Nielsen says, moving forward they will be in touch with Provincial Ag Ministers, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada members, to seek direction from them on how they are progressing with their review.


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