For the 2025 program year only, the compensation rate will be increased from 80% to 90% and the maximum payment limit will be increased from $3 million to $6 million. These changes are meant to help producers manage the risks they face. In addition, for AgriStability, starting in the 2026 program year, provinces and territories will have the option to use a new inventory valuation method for inventories destined to be used on-farm.
Ministers agreed to seek the necessary approvals to include feed costs associated with rented pasture as an allowable expense in advance of the 2026 program year, report back on progress at the September annual meeting and to continue a review of AgriStability allowable expenses.
FPT Ministers are working together to increase interprovincial trade of food. Ministers discussed a variety of options, including ways to remove barriers to internal food trade and identify new trade opportunities. Ministers also discussed enhanced client service support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for small to medium-sized businesses wishing to market food products across Canada under a federal food licence, increasing slaughter capacity where possible in regions with restricted access to services, and allowing interprovincial trade of low-risk manufactured foods without a federal licence. These ideas will be informed by the two ongoing pilots on meat trade and slaughter that are being accelerated. These initiatives aim to support business growth and improve market access, while maintaining Canada’s robust food safety system.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our farmers, ranchers and food processors across the country, we’ve earned a reputation for producing the best products in the world,” Federal Agriculture Minister, Heath MacDonald said. “By working together across governments, we can continue to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our sector, drive economic growth, and help to ensure Canadian products continue to lead on quality, safety, and sustainability.”
FPT Ministers highlighted the critical importance of joint efforts across governments to maintain, expand and diversify international market access. In support of this work, Ministers discussed the federal Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office and other resources in the region.
Ministers also emphasized the importance of engaging with China at the highest level, to improve the overall trade relationship and to remove Chinese tariffs on Canadian agriculture and seafood products. Ministers also underscored the benefits of existing trade agreements and emphasized the importance of considering the impact of tariffs on businesses.
The annual conference of FPT Ministers of Agriculture will take place in-person in Winnipeg, Manitoba September 7-9, 2025.
