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nfu supports parliamentary agriculture committee s unanimous recommendation to reverse aafc research cuts national farmers union skip to content join renew donate subscribe contact fr fr about about the nfu board of directors nfu staff caucuses women s caucus youth advisory committee bipoc caucus international international program committee indigenous solidarity migrant worker solidarity la via campesina policy working groups constitution and bylaws national farmers foundation regions region 1 atlantic region 1 atlantic district 1 pei region 1 atlantic district 2 nb region 1 atlantic district 3 ns region 2 quebec region 3 ontario region 5 manitoba region 6 saskatchewan region 7 alberta region 8 bc yukon nwt media all media media releases op eds letters films about farming learn learning overview nfuniversity the exchange climate change farmland seed agroecology food sovereignty grain livestock mental health supply management trade policy reports overview policy briefs reports all periodicals union farmer nfu newsletter events all events convention 2025 convention about conventions convention archive join support donate to the nfu subscribe to nfu updates contact nfu national media release nfu supports parliamentary agriculture committee s unanimous recommendation to reverse aafc research cuts may 12 2026 agroecology climate change parliamentary seed on may 6 the parliamentary agriculture committee presented the committee s report on science in canadian agriculture and the closure of research centres to the house of commons it recommends that the government of canada pause and reverse the decision to close agricultural research centres and experimental farm sites and reconsider its decision to cancel the organic and regenerative program at the swift current research and development centre it further recommends that the government ensure that valuable scientific expertise research capacity and ongoing research are preserved and not lost and that decisions be accompanied by greater transparency and the timely sharing of information liberal conservative and bloc quebecois committee members unanimously support these recommendations minister macdonald must provide the government s official response to the report within 120 days the national farmers union applauds the committee members for standing by their convictions and calling on minister macdonald to reverse the cuts as soon as possible said nfu vp policy phil mount aafc must immediately halt employee terminations resume research activities and suspend further facility and program closures to prevent irreversible losses while the minister considers his response the committee s 20 recommendations reflect the compelling evidence presented by witnesses and in written briefs from agriculture organizations communities research organizations and workers unions at a closed door meeting the committee members received a partial financial analysis showing the operating cost of the targeted facilities was projected at only 23 2 million per year over ten years the analysis did not account for the cost of relocation divestiture and decommissioning the aafc financial analysis didn t include the cost of abandoning specialized equipment and facilities some paid for by non aafc funders and partially completed projects and destruction of the value of future potential said manitoba based nfu farmer dean harder we strongly support the committee s call for a detailed site specific cost benefit analysis and recommendation for aafc to look for other ways to reduce expenditures the report quotes the national farmers union s written submission regarding the need for public interest research particularly for plant breeding and organic low input farming the organic and regenerative program at swift current is canada s only site for registration trials for cereal crop varieties developed for organic and low input production systems these trials require organically managed sites to obtain valid results shutting down the program will likely result in destruction of these plots eliminating testing under organic conditions will deprive organic farmers of data needed to choose the best variety for their farms and will likely result in less breeding for organic production the loss of this research could have much further reaching consequences if economic conditions and or supply chains restrict access to fertilizer and chemicals for manufacturing pesticides or certain weeds become multi resistant to pesticides non organic farmers will also benefit from varieties developed for organic production the report highlights steven cole mayor of indian head sk who said it would be a mistake to assume that the reduction in public sector agricultural research can be taken over by the private sector he added private research would pay less attention to environmental sustainability soil health or long term economic resilience and the cost would be passed on to farmers through higher seed prices the committee reiterated the harmful effects of the cuts on the livestock industry stated by several witnesses from alberta to atlantic canada their testimony emphasizes how well our existing network of aafc research facilities integrates plant breeding forage crops and barley disease resistance sustainable grazing in a wide range of soils and growing conditions meat quality research and feed impacts on animal health climate change and food safety to benefit production trade and returns for farmers across the entire country the committee recognizes the value of the wide geographic network of the research facilities and makes three linked recommendations calling for preserving the unique and critical research programs that cannot be replicated elsewhere prioritizing research conducted in actual agricultural conditions and ensuring research centres provide representative access to the diversity of agricultural soils across the country the impact of the announced cuts has caused severe disruption to the lives and work of affected employees their co workers and communities the committee notes the communication restrictions aafc has placed on affected employees and recommends they should be able to publicly raise concerns about situations that they deem to be detrimental to the public interest to put the other committee recommendations into action respectfully including the knowledge experience and expertise of scientists technicians labourers and support staff who carry out the work of the research facilities and programs is needed we are in the midst of a climate crisis new pathogens new insects and changing weather patterns are coming into play said manitoba farmer wayne james we need public research more than ever to do the research and plant breeding to deal with these new challenges the national farmers union recognizes the committee s serious consideration and careful attention to the information and concerns raised during the study we urge minister macdonald to adopt the committee s recommendations to reverse the cuts and rebuild our public agriculture research capacity as soon as possible 30 click here to send a letter to stop the cuts for more information please contact phil mount nfu vice president policy 343 262 5911 vp policy nfu ca dean harder nfu member lowe farm manitoba 204 797 6388 projuter gmail com dave gehl nfu member indian head saskatchewan 306 533 1072 davidgehl hotmail com wayne james nfu member beausejour manitoba 204 268 4980 wayneljames50 gmail com further resources national farmers union brief to the standing committee on agriculture and agri food committee study on science in canadian agriculture and the closure of research centres impact of aafc budget cuts on organic research brief jointly submitted by atlantic canadian organic regional network canada organic trade association canadian organic growers national farmers union organic federation of canada saskorganics and seedchange report of the standing committee on agriculture and agri food science in canadian agriculture and the closure of research centres latest all news media release letters op eds blog action post navigation new brunswick farmers need access to public veterinary and laboratory care plant breeders rights regulatory change costs farmers benefits seed companies strong communities sound policies sustainable farms the national farmers union l union nationale des fermiers is unique among farm organizations we advocate for people s interests against corporate control of our food system to support the nfu s work join or donate 306 652 9465 nfu nfu ca more contact info careers at the nfu privacy policy 1969 2026 national farmers union union nationale des fermiers about this nfu member close search national farmers union about the nfu about the nfu board of directors nfu staff women s advisory committee youth advisory committee bipoc caucus international program committee policy working groups national farmers foundation 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