Canada’s seafood farmers, ranchers and agri-food producers pledge to develop food systems that serve people and planet as world leaders meet at historic UN Food Systems Summit
By SeaWestNews
Canada’s seafood farmers, ranchers and agri-food producers have pledge to stand united to advance the nation’s leadership role in the production of safe, sustainable and nutritious food as 85 world leaders gather today for the UN Food Systems Summit.
The historic Summit, which takes place during the UN General Assembly, follows an 18-month process in which 148 countries have hosted national dialogues with key players at every stage of the food system to develop national strategies for more inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems.
“After 18 long months, the world is on the brink of a Summit that aims to change the trajectory of global progress, uniting everyone in a shared commitment to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals and the fundamental human rights at their core,” said Agnes Kalibata, UN Special Envoy for the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS).
Along with national strategies, the Summit is set to launch joint initiatives and coalitions, which include pledges to ensure healthy and nutritious meals for all schoolchildren, reduce food waste and unlock agricultural innovation to deliver on climate goals.
“The UNFSS has given our Canadian Agri-Food sector the opportunity to reflect and celebrate our shared advancements and achievements in sustainability, innovation, and the production of safe and nutritious food, said stakeholders in the Canadian agri-food industry.
The UNFSS provides the platform to look forward and together chart an inclusive, multi-stakeholder and systems approach for the future of food, they said.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) said Blue foods – especially farm-raised seafood – are a burgeoning component to meet the world’s demand for healthy and low-carbon proteins.
“Our commitment to producing the best quality farm-raised seafood in the world is backed up by leading international certification and forward-looking sustainability commitments. Canada’s seafood farmers stand with the Canadian food community in our dedication to excellence,” said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of CAIA.
The Dairy Farmers of Canada said the resilience of our food system is critical to ensuring food security for all Canadians.
“As stewards of the land, dairy farmers from coast-to-coast have always been world leaders in sustainability and are committed to remaining so in the future…We endeavour to provide Canadians with a steady supply of high-quality nutritious milk, produced in accordance with the highest standards in the world,” said Pierre Lampron, President, Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said the UNFFS allows Canada and the world to share its successes and work together to accomplish even more on this critically important front.
“Canadian agriculture has incredible potential as a natural climate solutions provider, and our sector has been making impressive strides for decades in terms of our GHG footprint relative to our productivity,” she said.
“We hope to see the Canadian government, and governments around the world recognize and harness the immense potential that our sector represents.”
CANADIAN AGRI-FOOD FAST FACTS
(Image – Agnes Kalibata, special envoy for the 2021 Food Systems Summit – courtesy of the FAO).
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