Governments launch an enhanced online tool to renew Environmental Farm Plans
The Voice of Canada News:
The governments of Canada and Ontario are giving farmers in the province a quicker and easier way to renew their Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs).
Farmers in Ontario can now access an upgraded, electronic process to update their Environmental Farm Plans. The enhanced system will make it easier for many to continue using this key tool, which guides Ontario farmers to voluntarily adopt more environmentally sustainable practices. The changes will provide a more user-friendly and resourceful online tool, in addition to offering a convenient option for farmers to update their Environmental Farm Plans without requiring them to travel to attend in-person workshops.
The improved electronic Environmental Farm Plan (eEFP) instrument was developed by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association with support from the federal and provincial governments through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership).
“Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership we are supporting initiatives that will save time for our hardworking farmers with easier access to existing resources and tools,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “The environment is a top priority of our Government and we are pleased to invest in projects that facilitate the adoption of environmentally sustainable farming practices.”
“Our government is pleased to help farmers stay current with their Environmental Farm Plans by allowing them to complete this important work on their own terms, without even having to leave the farm,” said Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “We’re committed to finding ways to help our hardworking farmers avoid red tape, support their great environmental work and be better able to focus on growing their businesses.”
“I applaud our governments and farmers for working together to implement a more digital-friendly tool that not only speeds up processes and keeps Ontario’s farming industry competitive, but also encourages environmental protection,” said Rod Phillips, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Solutions like this are examples of how our government is working to ensure Ontario has a healthy environment and a healthy economy.”
The Environmental Farm Plan, developed in partnership with Ontario farm organizations and farmers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, has been the flagship of sustainability initiatives for Ontario farmers for more than 25 years. More than 45,000 farmers have participated in the Environmental Farm Plans process since its inception. The improved electronic Environmental Farm Plan supports the Ontario government’s digital first strategy.
QUICK FACTS
The Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors.
The Partnership’s cost-share funding supports projects in the following key priority areas:
Economic development in the agri-food and agri-products sectors.
Environmental stewardship to enhance water quality and soil health.
Protection and assurance to reinforce the foundation for public trust in the sector through improved assurance systems in food safety and plant and animal health.
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is a non-profit farm organization that represents all commodity groups across the province and is a leader in delivering education and other programming to farmers.
