Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Department overview
Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada

Formed	1868 (1868)
Jurisdiction	Canada
Minister responsible	Lawrence MacAulay
Deputy Minister responsible	Andrea Lyon
Child agencies	Canadian Dairy Commission Canadian Grain Commission Farm Credit Canada National Farm Products Council Research Branch
Website	agr.gc.ca

The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) (French: Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada), is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies governing agriculture production, farming income, research and development, inspection, and the regulation of animals and plants. It also has responsibilities regarding rural development. It is popularly called Ag-Canada.

The current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is Lawrence MacAulay. The current Deputy Minister is Andrea Lyon.

History and structure

The Department of Agriculture was responsible for healthcare in Canada, between 1867 and 1919, before the Department of Health was created on September 1, 1919.^[1] In 2013, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was moved from the Agriculture Portfolio to the Health Portfolio. ^[2]

Organizations for which the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible include:

Acts and regulations

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is responsible for a number of Acts related to agriculture and food in Canada.^[3]

Agricultural Marketing Programs Act
Agricultural Products Marketing Act
Animal Pedigree Act
Canada Grain Act
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act
Canadian Dairy Commission Act
Canadian Wheat Board Act
Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Act
Experimental Farm Stations Act
Farm Debt Mediation Act
Farm Credit Canada Act
Farm Income Protection Act
Farm Products Agencies Act
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act

Research

Agriculture Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon Research Centre on the Campus of the University of Saskatchewan

As part of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Research Branch (French: Direction générale de la recherche d'Agriculture et agroalimentaire Canada) has the mandate to propose solutions and opportunities based on science to support competitiveness and the sustainability of the agriculture and agri-food sector. It is also in the Branch's mandate to provide scientific information to inform departmental and governmental decision processes.

Under the Experimental Farm Stations Act dating back to 1886, farm stations across Canada were established. The officers of these stations had the duty of conducting research in a number of specific areas pertinent to agricultural productivity and conservation, and of making the results of such research known by publication.

Today, the Research Branch includes a national network of 20 Research Centres^[4] and 2,300 employees, including some 500 research scientists. Research activities focus on seven national priorities,^[5] including the enhancement of:

Human health and wellness through food, nutrition and innovative products;
The quality of food and the safety of the food system;
The security and protection of the food supply;
Economic benefits throughout the value chain from producers to consumers;
The environmental performance of the Canadian agricultural system;
Knowledge of Canadian bioresources and the protection and conservation of genetic diversity;
New opportunities for agriculture from bioresources.

Industry support

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is also responsible for supporting corporate and local agricultural producers and suppliers. They do this through a variety of programs and services including Agri-Geomatics which develops products and services for internal and external users, and program facilitation.

References

↑ "Canada's Health Care System [Health Canada, 2011]". Health Canada. Retrieved 2012-05-02.
↑ "Canadian Food Inspection Agency Joins Health Portfolio [Health Canada, 2013]". Health Canada. Retrieved 2014-10-25.
↑ "Acts and Regulations > Neutral > About Us". Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
↑ http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1181591790641&lang=e
↑ http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1183728579601&lang=e&lang=e

External links

Departments of the Government of Canada

Principal departments	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canadian Heritage Employment and Social Development Environment and Climate Change Finance Fisheries and Oceans Global Affairs Health Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Indigenous and Northern Affairs Innovation, Science and Economic Development Justice National Defence Natural Resources Privy Council Office Public Safety Public Services and Procurement Transport Veterans Affairs

Major agencies	Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Canada Border Services Agency Canada Revenue Agency Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Canadian Coast Guard Canadian Armed Forces Canadian Food Inspection Agency Canadian Space Agency Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Geological Survey of Canada Parks Canada Public Health Agency Royal Canadian Mounted Police Service Canada Western Economic Diversification Canada

Other departments	Infrastructure Library and Archives Statistics Canada

Historic departments	Canadian International Development Agency Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment Passport Canada Solicitor General of Canada

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