Agri-food cooperative welcomes Quebec’s bio-food policy

Canada’s agri-food cooperative La Coop fédérée has welcomed the Quebec Government’s new bio-food policy in the region.

The policy announced by the Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Laurent Lessard aims to meet the changing needs of the consumer by maintaining a collective approach, as well as through the creation of multiple value chains.

The bio-food sector includes processing, distribution, food services and production in farming operations, and is said to have been diversifying itself at a steady pace.

La Coop fédérée president Ghislain Gervais said: “With regards to vision and strategic objectives, the bio-food policy demonstrates a willingness to work with the sector to take on challenges in the bio-food industry. Those challenges were raised by La Coop fédérée during the numerous consultations held in previous years.

“Moreover, the inclusion of additional amounts intended for the bio-food policy announced in the last provincial budget shows a willingness to make it a reality.”

The government anticipates that the policy will also uncover new prospects for the various stakeholders of the food sector.

Gervais added: “The new policy represents a step in the right direction. The importance of the Quebec bio-food industry, which contributes C$25.4bn ($19.8bn) to the Quebec economy and generates more than 500,000 jobs, most certainly deserves the attention the government is giving it today.”

The agri-food cooperative has also expressed its intent to support its objectives through land development, supplying & marketing agricultural products, as well as through research and development activities.

Established in 1922, La Coop fédérée represents more than 120,000 members, agricultural producers and consumers.