Canadian aquaculture asks Trudeau for support
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Association (CAIA) has written to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ask that aquaculture has access to the same government help as land farming.
The letter was submitted to the office of the Prime Minister on January 15. It formally requests that the government include seafood farmers to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada mandate.
The letter was a joint effort and included eight regional aquaculture associations and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Copies of the letter were sent to ministers, deputy ministers in federal departments, representatives from various standing committees, Office of the Privy Council, provincial fisheries, agriculture ministers and deputy ministers.
The Prime Minster’s office has yet to respond to the letter.
The CAIA will release the letter to the media and members of the public at a later date.
Aquaculture Act for Canada
The CAIA has been busy trying to get the attention of the Canadian Government.
In 2018, the CAIA and the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers asked the government to fast track a federal Aquaculture Act.”
A statement on the CAIA website said: “Our industry has long advocated that the timely development and passage of a federal Aquaculture Act is critical for the sustainable and competitive growth of aquaculture in Canada. This important support from Ministers is very much appreciated and will provide a fresh look at seafood farming in Canada.
“Canada remains the world’s only major farmed seafood producing country without modern national legislation specifically designed to govern a responsible and sustainable aquaculture industry. An Aquaculture Act for Canada will enhance sector transparency, facilitate the adoption of best practices and provide greater consistency and certainty for industry.
“CAIA has signalled to stakeholders its readiness to collaborate in the modernization of federal legislation, regulations and programs and to keep Canada’s seafood farming businesses competitive, sustainable, innovative and growing.
