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By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Changes to AgriStability, internal trade among discussion items at meeting of Canada’s agriculture ministers

Jul 23, 2025 | 3:19 PM

Canada’s agriculture ministers agreed to some enhancements to the AgriStability program at a meeting held virtually on Thursday.

A release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says the rate of compensation will go to 90 per cent from 80 per cent, and the maximum payment limit will be doubled to $6 million.

Also, as of the 2026 program year, provinces and territories can use new ways to evaluate inventories that will be used on farm.

The ministers will also look for approval of using feed costs from rented pasture as an allowable expense before 2026.

The ministers also discussed ways to remove interprovincial trade barriers and look for new opportunities for doing business.

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They also looked at having more client support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for smaller businesses looking to sell their goods across Canada, increasing slaughter capacity in areas with what the release calls “restricted access to services,” and allowing some low-risk products to be sold across the country without a federal license.

The ministers will hold their annual conference in Winnipeg in September.

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