Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Canadian Agriculture Policy Conference: Growing Forward in a Volatile Environment

The second annual Canadian agriculture policy conference will take place on January 11- 13, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario. The theme for this year's conference is Growing Forward in a Volatile Environment, and according to the organizers it "will provide the premier national policy outlook for the agriculture sector. A blend of presentations from invited speakers, invited agriculture policy research network members and research posters will highlight the issues and potential policy solutions facing the agricultural sector in Canada today." The conference is being organized jointly by the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society and the five "Enabling Research for a Competitive Agriculture" policy research networks.

You can learn more about the conference, including how to register by visiting the conference website. Here's the description of the conference provided by the organizers:
The second annual Canadian agriculture policy conference will build upon the first year's success in providing the premier national policy outlook for the agriculture sector.

The ability for Canadian agriculture to grow forward in such a volatile business environment depends on answers to policy questions, such as:
  • What processes can make regulation work better (for consumers and industry)?
  • Making regulation: Are there best practices?
  • Regulation: Can better processes reduce the drag on innovation?
  • Will the level and volatility of commodity prices remain high?
  • What are the best strategies to manage risk for individual farms and firms?
  • For years, government policy was set in a context of low prices. Is there a role for policy in the current context?
  • What will continuing changes in the climate mean for Canadian agriculture?
  • Adaptation in a volatile environment: what can Canada learn from policies adopted in other countries?
  • What strategies should we consider to address issues surrounding water in agriculture?
  • What do the continually changing consumer preferences and attitudes imply for Canadian agriculture?
  • How can experiences with changing consumer markets in other countries inform Canadian food policies?
  • How do risk perceptions change the way farmers, processors and retailers need to deal with the consuming public in Canada and in export markets?
These are just some of the questions being addressed at the Second Annual Canadian Agriculture Policy Conference entitled Growing Forward in a Volatile Environment.

This conference will provide the premier national policy outlook for the agriculture sector. A blend of presentations from invited speakers, invited agriculture policy research network members and research posters will highlight the issues and potential policy solutions facing the agricultural sector in Canada today. The research being undertaken throughout the country will be featured and the exchange of ideas between invited speakers, industry participants, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada policy analysts and researchers in the five ERCA Policy Research Networks will be facilitated.

This conference should be a high priority for Canadians interested in food and agriculture policy and its role in dealing with the volatile business environment we find ourselves operating in. This conference will provide policy analysis and information in order to improve the dialogue between industry stakeholders. Attendees will have access to the country’s cutting edge research in food and agricultural policy and an opportunity to interact with decision makers from across the country and across the globe. The speakers represent some of Canada’s and the world’s best experts in their respective fields.

The Growing Forward in a Volatile Environment Conference is being organized jointly by the Canadian Agricultural Economics Society and the five ‘Enabling Research for a Competitive Agriculture’ policy research networks – Canadian Agriculture Trade Policy Research Network (CATPRN), Canadian Agricultural Innovation and Regulation Network (CAIRN), Linking Environment and Agriculture Research Network (LEARN), Consumer and Market Demand Policy Research Network (CMD), Structure and Performance of Agriculture and Agri-products Industries network (SPAA).

This policy conference will be held January 11- 13, 2012 in Ottawa, ON at the Chateau Laurier.

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