Agri-Food Council

The Agri-Food Council is an independent board appointed by the provincial government.  The Council is accountable to the Minister of Agriculture for the supervision of all agencies established under The Agri-Food Act, 2004.  Specific activities of the Agri-Food Council include:

• providing advice to the Minister;
• assisting producer groups in establishing new levies;
• supervising votes on establishing marketing and development agencies;
• ensuring accountability, compliance and dispute resolution;
• monitoring the use of supply management powers;
• approving marketing orders of agencies established under the Act;
• participating as a signatory to federal-provincial agricultural marketing agreements;
• monitoring the financial aspects of the agencies;
• reporting, on an annual basis, the yearly performance of each agency;
• reviewing all reports required to be submitted pursuant to the Act, regulations, or by council;
• conducting analyses of policies, programs and decisions made or proposed by an agency; and
• promoting the growth and development of industries affected by a plan of an agency by monitoring the impact of strategic plans adopted by the agency on the rate of growth and development of the industry.

The Council's role differs according to the two types of agencies under its jurisdiction.  Agencies administering levies are essentially responsible to the producers who elect and fund them.  As long as these agencies comply with reporting standards and remain in compliance with regulations then there is little requirement for an increased level of supervision.  Marketing boards on the other hand, have been delegated powers that only a government can exercise under competition legislation, given their ability to establish prices and control production.  This requires that a higher level of scrutiny be applied to ensure effective economic development.

The Agri-Food Council is currently responsible for monitoring 17 Saskatchewan agencies, including:

• Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission
• Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association
• Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Winter Cereals Development Commission
• SaskPork
• Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
• Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board
• Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan
• Saskatchewan Broiler Hatching Egg Producers' Marketing Board
• Saskatchewan Egg Producers
• Saskatchewan Turkey Producers Marketing Board