Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the invitation to be here.
I am going to make a few brief comments on behalf of the federal chairs, and then turn it over to each of the round tables.
Good afternoon, and thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the value chain round tables. In March, our former colleague Steve Tierney provided you with an overview of the VCRT process in each of the 11 round tables.
Canada's agriculture and agrifood sector is world-renowned for the quality of its products, impeccable standards and regulations, as well as its innovative technology and research. While this sector maintains a strong advantage over global competition, the agriculture and agrifood sector can be a diverse and varied industry. Contributing factors include economics, geographic location, provincial and federal regulations, as well as environmental and social issues. The value chain round tables establish stability and cohesion within the sector, and provide an excellent platform for bringing together key industry leaders with the federal and provincial governments. The VCRTs are industry-led in partnership with government, and are innovative, efficient, and accountable.
No single segment of the value chain can, on its own, meet all the demands. Collaboration is necessary. Producers are working with processors and other stakeholders to find a mutually acceptable solution or course of action to address the major issues.
Round tables give every stakeholder, from field to fork, a single forum in which to discuss concerns and priorities with governments and other interested parties. Furthermore, the supply chain as a whole can contribute to the solution. This gives the industry access to federal government representatives to discuss solutions and concerns as they arise.
The VCRTs contribute to the sector's success via issue identification, coordination, and solution-based results that lead to better working supply chains and faster-growing sectors. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the industry and governments to collaborate.
The round tables will also bring together other government department officials who are integral in moving forward priority issues for the individual round tables as needed. Other government departments that the round tables work with include the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Transport Canada, the Public Health Agency, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Industry has found this forum extremely effective in producing tangible results and outcomes. It should be noted that the VCRTs have expanded from six to 11 round tables over the last four years, which is an indication of industry's interest in them and of their willingness to financially contribute to cover the cost of attending the round table meetings.
In addition to the round tables, the all chairs forum reinforces AAFC's commitment to the round table process and includes annual discussions between the value chain round table co-chairs, AAFC's deputy minister, and his federal colleagues. This provides a chance to widen interdepartmental engagement of industry issues and provides an opportunity to develop actions that will address issues of importance affecting all the round tables.
Other forums developed out of common cross-sectoral issues include the Agri-Subcommittee on Food Safety and the labour task force working group. This is a unique opportunity to highlight two successful round tables, beef and pork, and to introduce you to our newest round table, the Sheep VCRT. These two round tables provide perfect examples of how to successfully establish a functioning and productive sector by harnessing the supply chains' expertise and knowledge.
I'd like to highlight that the beef value chain round table was established just prior to the BSE outbreak in 2003. Its role during the BSE crisis is a prime example of the importance of these forums and their ability to manage crises. The forum served as a primary mechanism for consultation during the crisis and contributed to restoring the beef industry's competitive position, both domestically and globally.
The pork round table is focused on competitive issues and on moving the sector forward after the restructuring that took place a few years ago. The pork round table has developed a strategic plan that encompasses four pillars: the competitiveness environment, market penetration, value chain integration, and innovation and research.
Additionally, the pork round table successfully functioned as a media coordinating body for a government-industry communications response to the H1N1 flu epidemic. The newly formed sheep round table carries tremendous potential; however, the sector is facing major competitiveness issues that need to be addressed. This forum will assist in bringing together a fragmented industry to collaborate towards a common goal, contributing to the success of the sector.
Mr. Chair, members, I would like to introduce the industry co-chairs or representatives: Travis Toews, from the beef value chain round table; Florian Possberg, from the pork value chain round table; and Andrew Gordanier from the sheep value chain round table.
Now I would like to turn it over to each of them for some brief comments, if that's okay.