The National Farmers Union has laid out its vision for Canada's next federal-provincial agricultural policy framework.
The NFU's suggestions were sent to each of the ministers involved in the upcoming Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting.
The organisation says Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research has shown the existing Business Risk Management program is used disproportionately by larger farms.
The NFU wants the next framework to include BRM's that are accessible, relevant and useful for farms of different sizes and production systems.
It's also calling for a cap on payouts so the programs don't encourage what it calls excessive expansion and risk taking by the largest farms.
The NFU suggests the next framework should do more to help our food system's capacity to develop and retain domestic markets for Canadian farm products.
The farm group argues that could reduce the risk of food shortages and sharp price increases resulting from our reliance on distant suppliers who could be vulnerable to climate change and currency exchange rate fluctuations.
The NFU suggestions also include a call for disaster relief programs to reflect the reality that some disasters create problems that last longer than one year.
It argues increased total funding along with program design changes would help recognize the need for multi-year assistance.
The Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers are meeting July 20th to the 22nd in Calgary.
