The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also referred to as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) (French

French language

French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

: Agriculture et Agroalimentaire Canada), is the department

Ministry (government department)

A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of government public administration, sometimes led by a minister or a senior public servant, that can have responsibility for one or more departments, agencies, bureaus, commissions or other smaller executive, advisory, managerial or...

 of the government of Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 with responsibility for policies governing agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...

 production, farming income, research

Research

Research can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...

 and development

New product development

In business and engineering, new product development is the term used to describe the complete process of bringing a new product to market. A product is a set of benefits offered for exchange and can be tangible or intangible...

, inspection

Inspection

An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity...

, and the regulation of animal

Animal

Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...

s and plants. It also has responsibilities regarding rural

Rural

Rural areas or the country or countryside are areas that are not urbanized, though when large areas are described, country towns and smaller cities will be included. They have a low population density, and typically much of the land is devoted to agriculture...

 development. It is popularly called Ag-Canada.

The current Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Minister of Agriculture (Canada)

The Minister of Agriculture is a Minister of the Crown in the Cabinet of Canada, who is responsible for overseeing several organizations including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Dairy Commission, Farm Credit Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Farm Products Council and...

 is Gerry Ritz

Gerry Ritz

Gerry Ritz, PC, MP is Canada's Agriculture minister and a Canadian Member of Parliament for Battlefords—Lloydminster, a largely rural riding in Saskatchewan...

.

Organizations which Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is responsible for include:

• Canadian Dairy Commission
  Canadian Dairy Commission
  The Canadian Dairy Commission is a Canadian government Crown corporation created in 1966 under the Canadian Dairy Commission Act...
  
  
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is a science based regulatory agency that is dedicated to the safeguarding of food, animals, and plants, which enhance the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment and economy...
  
  
• Canadian Grain Commission
  Canadian Grain Commission
  The Canadian Grain Commission, also known as the CGC, is a Canadian government department responsible for regulation of the grain handling industry.The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food is responsible for the Canadian Grain Commission....
  
  
• Farm Credit Canada
  Farm Credit Canada
  Farm Credit Canada , or FCC, is Canada's largest agricultural term lender.This organization's purpose is to enhance rural Canada by providing specialized and personalized financial services to farming operations, including family farms...
  
  
• National Farm Products Council
  National Farm Products Council
  The National Farm Products Council is a Canadian government agency established in 1972 that is responsible for promoting efficient and competitive agriculture...
  
  
• Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
  Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
  The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration is a branch under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a department of the Federal Government of Canada....
  
  
• Research Branch
• Rural Secretariat
  Rural Secretariat
  The Rural Secretariat is a focal point for the Government of Canada to work in partnership with Canadians in rural and remote areas to build strong, dynamic communities...
  
  
• Cooperatives Secretariat
  Cooperatives Secretariat
  The Co-operatives Secretariat was established within the Government of Canada in 1987 to help the federal government respond more effectively to the concerns and needs of co-operatives...
  
  

Acts and Regulations

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

• 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

As part of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Research Branch 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 19 Research Centres http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1181591790641&lang=e and 2,300 employees, including some 500 research scientists. Research activities focus on seven national priorities http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1183728579601&lang=e&lang=e, 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.

External links

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Rural Secretariat
• Experimental Farm Stations Act