Report on Performance

Opportunity:

New trade agreements expand markets for B.C. products.

Risk:

Subsidies, border measures, trade remedy actions and new international standards by other governments disrupt trade and close markets.

Outcome of trade negotiations challenges B.C.'s agriculture, food and seafood competitiveness.

Disease outbreak in livestock, seafood, or nursery sectors results in closure of border and export markets for B.C. producers.

Address international and inter-provincial trade barriers affecting B.C. agriculture, food and seafood products through trade negotiations and agreements.

• Improved relations with neighbouring U.S. states, fostered strategic alliances and increased the profile and awareness of B.C.'s key agriculture, food and seafood trade concerns through such groups as the Tri-National Accord and Pacific NorthWest Economic Region.
• Avoided barriers to exports for the nursery and floriculture industries due to a variety of issues, including Sudden Oak Death. Cross-border industry collaboration was encouraged through Pacific Northwest region government-industry meeting.
• Continued to engage the B.C. Agri-Food Trade Council to respond to international trade negotiations and facilitated ability to influence the outcome of international trade negotiations and disputes.
• Inter-provincial trade barriers to B.C. vegetable oil-based product successfully challenged and eliminated under the internal trade agreement.

Opportunity:

Agriculture sectors can shift into innovative new markets, such as bio-products, meeting market demands for alternate products and obtaining a share of the market.

Risk:

Required international quality standards not in place for B.C. commodities, impeding B.C.'s ability to compete in the global market.

Lack of industry investment hinders ability to diversify and add value through innovative agriculture, food and seafood products.

Improve the competitiveness of specific industry sectors by encouraging diversification and innovation, and adding value.

• Strengthened investment in the B.C. wine industry through the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation. A recent survey indicated the grape wine industry made an estimated $35 million in capital investments during the fiscal year ending in 2004.
• Worked with the meat processing sector, through the new Meat Industry Enhancement Strategy, and collaborated with the Ministry of Heath Services to implement new provincial meat inspection regulations. The goal was to enhance B.C.'s meat processing capacity and support development of new market opportunities.
• Established a $3.5-million Science and Innovation Fund, providing increased opportunities for the B.C. agriculture, food, beverage and agri-biotechnology sectors to move innovative ideas through research to market.
• Established First Nations 2010 Agriculture Initiative, designed to assist First Nations in strengthening their agriculture production base and to create a marketing and distribution system.

Risk:

Agriculture industry statistics and data are not available, resulting in an inability to strategically plan for the sector's future.

Provide industry with online access to government and sector information expertise.

• Improved the online access to government and sector information through increased usage of InfoBasket, an online tool, by providing short courses and seminars at the Pacific Agricultural Show.

Risk:

Regulatory environment and barriers do not allow flexibility for agriculture, food and fish industries, resulting in an inability to remain competitive and profitable.

Reduce regulation and barriers to improve the industry's ability to be profitable.

• Encouraged federal extension of the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program to B.C. farmers, allowing workers from out-of-province to harvest crops where local labour is unavailable.
• Worked with industry and CFIA to introduce and establish certification and inspection programs in response to the outbreak of Sudden Oak Death in many B.C. ornamental nursery plants.

Opportunity:

Small size of industry allows the sector to quickly react and change to new markets and opportunities.

Risk:

Lack of industry strategic planning may result in an inability to compete in the global marketplace.

B.C. is not represented at forums for new international or national opportunities; as a result, B.C. does not receive the investor attention it deserves.

New challenges emerge and industry is not able to respond in a united manner, resulting in loss of market share.

Identify opportunities to improve the competitiveness of B.C.'s agriculture and food sectors.

• Facilitated establishment of the B.C. Food Processors Association to develop innovative ideas, markets and programs to support the food processing industry.
• Established a 2010 Industry Opportunities Fund of $1 million to promote B.C. food and beverage products and agriculture and cuisine tourism opportunities leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
• Sponsored a B.C. Agri-food Outlook Forum for discussion around the strategic direction of the sector.
• Facilitated launch of the B.C. BioProducts Association, advancing business interests in innovation and diversification in a range of bioproducts including biodiesel, bioethanol, wood pellets, biomaterials, food products and nutraceuticals.
• Ensured the B.C. Life Sciences Initiative included agri-food and marine/fish sections.
• Worked with the Ministry of Health Services on the ActNow! (previously Healthy B.C.) strategy to support healthier lifestyle choices for British Columbians.

Promote self-funding mechanisms for producers and processors to promote independence and innovation.

• B.C. Culinary Tourism Society established to provide chefs and restaurants opportunity to address any issues in a collective forum.

Opportunity:

Continued improvement to farm siting, reducing environmental interactions and identification of production strategies for farmers will increase sustainability of farming.

Risk:

Critics of the industry remain concerned over scientific uncertainty, the industry's ability to reduce environmental impacts to acceptable levels, and the adequacy of regulatory regimes, resulting in reduced support for aquaculture industry.

Ensure existing and new finfish farms are in appropriate locations, which may require relocation of some operations.

• Four sites had environmental reviews and have received full federal and provincial approvals (one pilot project, three "new").
• Supported DFO, providing environmental reviews through computer-modeled impact assessments and environmental capability assessments for all tenure renewal and new farm sites.
• Supported DFO in refinement of key model parameters and model validation of DEPEMOD analysis tool, used to create models of farm sites, resulting in improved performance.

Risk:

Lack of community support inhibits the sector's ability to conduct business.

Over-regulating reduces industry's ability to be competitive.

The current federal Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CCSP) constrains industry development in remote coastal communities.

Develop a management framework that meets environmental objectives without unduly inhibiting the sector's ability to conduct business.

• Implemented a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DFO for mandatory Fish Health Management Plans for all operational aquaculture organizations to satisfy federal Canadian Environment Assessment Act requirements.
• Initiated the Strengthening Farming approach to shellfish aquaculture to promote strong working relationships between local and provincial governments and the aquaculture community.
• Facilitated Environment Canada's policy improvements for reform of the CSSP to address industry development issues in remote areas of B.C.

Opportunity:

Diversification will provide access to new markets and grow the aquaculture industry.

Risk:

B.C. does not expand into new finfish species such as sturgeon and sablefish, market demand is met by other countries, resulting in smaller market share for B.C.

Encourage diversification to new finfish species.

• Provided fish health assessments for farmed sablefish (black cod) hatchery in producing juveniles for marine grow-out.
• Developed sturgeon aquaculture policy to support growth of sturgeon farming, a new finfish species for aquaculture.
• Provided formal support to the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association.

Opportunity:

Strong compliance and enforcement regime supports growth of the industry as it provides a response to barriers created by negative public perception.

Risk:

Failure to inspect farms may increase public concern regarding regulatory practices of industry.

Public not confident in aquaculture development; growth is delayed.

Monitor compliance with waste management and escape standards through an improved and harmonized compliance and enforcement regime.

• Conducted inspections of all finfish farms (76 inspections in total).
• Investigated 36 escape incident reports (note: many were not escapes, but involved reports such as holes in nets that had potential to lead to escapes). These inspections and subsequent follow-ups ensured industry was complying with environmental standards established by government, increasing public confidence in the ministry's regulation of the industry.

Opportunity:

PCFAM provides mechanism for assuring accountability at the Ministerial level.

Risk:

Incomplete implementation of the Oceans MOU and subsidiary agreements can result in industry environmental performance not improving.

Participate in coastal and marine planning to maximize environmental performance, reduce conflict among resource users and enhance access to resources.

• Co-signed MOU respecting Canada's Oceans Strategy on the Pacific Coast, addressing the challenges of modern oceans management for the 21st century.
• Assisted in the completion of a draft subsidiary MOU on marine protected areas (MPA) to create a system for MPA's on Canada's Pacific Coast.

Opportunity:

Working jointly on fisheries issues is of mutual advantage to Canada and B.C. and will result in better decisions and meet public expectations for seamless fisheries governance.

Creation of a comprehensive provincial/federal strategy and harmonization protocol on First Nation consultation requirements for finfish and shellfish aquaculture.

Risk:

Policy and regulatory reforms to enhance industry competitiveness and profitability are controversial and may be resisted by some stakeholders.

Federal Fisheries Act and DFO policies limit ability to share decision-making with provinces.

Establish a new working relationship with the federal government that supports joint decision-making for the management of B.C.'s wild fishery resources without interfering with federal constitutional authority.

• Completed a major review of the Pacific fisheries (the Federal Provincial Task Force on Post-Treaty Fisheries) and followed up with discussions and strategic initiatives leading to the creation of an interest-based, joint decision-making institution for the fisheries.
• B.C. engages DFO, through the Pacific Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (PCFAM), to advance provincial objectives for fisheries management and economic development. B.C. and DFO have agreed to establish four specific sub-committees under the Pacific Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee Working Group (PFAC-WG), and to develop and monitor action plans to enhance cooperation and the implementation of specific initiatives:
• Fisheries Management;
• Oceans;
• Aquaculture; and
• Aquatic Habitat.

Opportunity:

Early detection of invasive alien species provides greater opportunity for eradication.

Rapid identification of foreign animal diseases provides quick response and reduced risk.

Risk:

Undiagnosed plant diseases and pests cause crop losses and reduce profits of producers.

Invasive plant diseases and pests introduced outside of their natural habitat threaten biodiversity of natural ecosystems.

Lack of active surveillance for BSE may jeopardize reestablishment of international trade in beef and cattle.

Provide early diagnosis of animal, fish and plant diseases and pests, develop intervention plans to minimize economic losses, and offer monitoring to reduce or eliminate risks to human health.

Plant Diagnostics

• Diagnosed over 7,900 samples, supporting testing of plants for Sudden Oak Death and blueberry scorch virus.

Plant Health

• Facilitated establishment of the Invasive Plant Council of B.C. to build cooperation and coordination to protect B.C.'s environment and minimize negative social and economic impacts caused by introduction, establishment and spread of invasive plants.
• Effected improved provincial co-ordination in managing and controlling invasive plants on Crown lands through an Inter-ministry Invasive Plant Committee providing:
• $3.4 million toward invasive plant management and control activities on Crown land; and
• $2.35 million in new provincial funding for local delivery of invasive plant control programs.
• $1 million to support continued implementation of the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program.
• Financial and technical support provided for two aerial spray programs against gypsy moth; as a result, target infestations were either eliminated or significantly reduced.

• Borders remained open to poultry industry as a result of the quick response to the Avian Influenza outbreak in the Fraser Valley poultry industry. The ministry, working with CFIA, contained and eradicated the virus and helped restore the industry to normal functioning level.
• Provided active surveillance for West Nile virus and demonstrated the virus had not occurred in B.C.
• Established a laboratory testing program for BSE within the Animal Health Centre.
• Received and tested approximately 5,000 submissions, allowing for monitoring of disease in B.C. animals.

Aquatic Animal Diagnostics

• Provided active disease and sea lice monitoring program for farmed salmon.
• Collected several hundred samples of wild salmon, checking for specific diseases and parasitic agents.
• Developed surveillance program in response to ministry identification of Bonamia in flat-shelled oysters in B.C.

Opportunity:

Industry development and adoption of food safety programs can facilitate sector growth.

Risk:

Unaddressed food safety hazards may lead to increased public health costs.

Identify food safety risks and develop plans to eliminate or reduce risks while minimizing economic losses.

• Food safety and quality (FSQ) information developed and updated on the FSQ branch website and on InfoBasket.
• A Food Safety Risk Profile was developed to identify key agricultural pathogens with significance to public health, to increase awareness of the health implications, and begin to focus attention on these.

Risk:

Lack of integrated and effective traceability systems may lead to reduced market access and inefficient emergency responses.

Governance responsibility for quality standards not addressed by industry groups resulting in a lack of standards for B.C. products, reducing the ability to compete in global market.

Promote systems that track B.C. products from production to retail, complementing national systems.

• Initiated an assessment of traceability in B.C. to provide the context for future activities.
• Identified food quality issues and needs for the agri-food sector.

Opportunity:

Development of outcome-based, nationally equivalent regulations can free-up industry from onerous processes and improve industry efficiency, while maintaining food safety.

Revise existing regulations so they define standards expected for the safety of the products rather than focusing on how to produce them, shifting government's role to oversight, audit and risk assessment.

• In partnership with Ministry of Health Services, promoted the new outcome-based Meat Inspection Regulation.
• Facilitated community sessions to broaden awareness and understanding of the need for province-wide meat inspection regulations.
• Supported development of dairy farm regulations under the Food Safety Act.

Opportunity:

Assuring consumers of product quality attributes can support B.C. agri-food industry market development.

Building a national organic system can sustain growth in this sector.

Encourage the agriculture, fisheries (including aquaculture) and food industries to adopt quality programs.

• Established The B.C. Wines of Marked Quality Regulations as provincial quality standards for 100 per cent B.C. grape wine production.
• Continued development of a specialty egg quality program.
• Participated in an ongoing process to develop a national organic system.

Opportunity:

Adoption of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems can foster viable and competitive industries.

Inter-agency coordination can improve when responding to foodborne illnesses.

Influence federal policies and programs through the Agriculture Policy Framework for food safety programs and direct federal resources to meet B.C.'s objectives.

• Secured federal funding commitment tailored to B.C. priorities under the Food Safety Initiatives program of the Agricultural Policy Framework.
• Engaged the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and regional health authorities in preparing the B.C. implementation proposal to encourage adoption of HACCP systems in non-federally registered food processing facilities.
• Influenced federal direction through participation in the development of the Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol.

Opportunity:

Awareness of disease pathways will reduce the risk of spread.

Establishing an effective certification program will reduce the risk of disease and provide access to trade.

Risk:

Improperly used pesticides cause food safety and environmental risks.

Federal and provincial priorities may not be aligned regarding the use of reduced-risk products as part of an integrated pest-management program.

Strengthen prevention programs for diseases and pests of animals, fish and plants and food-borne health risks.

• Continued to lead an industry and government group to address irrigation water quality on ready-to-eat crops.
• Addressed critical need for protecting agriculture crops, replaced old chemistry with reduced-risk products and provided broad range of information on preventative measures and identification of pathways of invasive alien species through:
• Registration of 18 pest management products;
• Continued development of B.C. crop profiles; and
• Launch of Pesticide Wise page on ministry website.
• Provided technical support in the development and implementation of the Sudden Oak Death Certification Program.
• Began feasibility study to assess addition of a Containment Level 3 Laboratory to the Animal Health Centre.

Incremental improvements to plant lab database.

The Plant Diagnostic Lab database was updated in 2004/05, and improvements of the system are planned for 2005/06 to increase readability of reports and data management.

Risk:

Unmanaged environmental impact of farm practices causes pollution or degradation of the environment.

Develop and promote the use of farm environmental plans¹ (including best practices standards, operating procedures and audit processes), in conjunction with producers, regions and agencies.

• 18 farm organizations entered into agreements to deliver Environmental Farm Planning (EFP) to farmers and ranchers throughout B.C.
• Developed and promoted the use of EFP and now able to access implementation funding.
• 168 workshops conducted with 1,620 producers attending.
• 112 farms have completed and approved EFPs.
• Additional publications on nutrient, riparian, water, grazing and irrigation management created.

Risk:

Outdated environmental policies and standards can result in industry's loss of economic or environmental sustainability.

Continue to update B.C. standards, policies and regulations maximizing environmental performance of the aquaculture industry.

• Fish Health Memorandum of Understanding signed with DFO for mandatory fish health management plans to satisfy federal requirements in aquaculture.
• Supplementary guidelines for the Fisheries Inspectors Policy and Procedures Manual completed.
• Ongoing sea lice monitoring and auditing program in place with management guidelines provided to industry.

Risk:

Drought conditions will reduce production of dryland and rangeland crops and increase input costs for farmers and ranchers.

Wildlife populations increase in farming areas causing economic losses for farmers.

Improper collection and disposal of sustainable risk material and livestock can pose health and environmental risks.

Work with governments, ministries and agencies on legislation, policies and strategies dealing with water, range, weeds, and other issues to the benefit of the agriculture industry.

Water Management:

• Implemented a 32-point action plan through the Drought Task Force, comprised of government, private sector and stewardship groups.
• Established a ministry Drought Management website.
• Supported the Provincial Drought Management Strategy.
• Drafted standards for building setbacks from watercourses.

Wildlife Management:

• Completed three 3-year pilot wildlife damage compensation projects with recommendations to continue and explore options to expand coverage.
• In conjunction with the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, developed a private land stewardship incentive program that will provide a revenue opportunity for landowners to offset the costs associated with having a resident wildlife population.
The program is to be tested during 2005-06.

Environmental Management:

• Established a $5-million fund to contribute to industry implementation of affordable and environmentally sound options for disposal of animal tissue wastes that are supported by local governments to ensure the meat processing sector in B.C. is able to continue to operate supporting the economy of the province.

Risk:

Restrictive local government policies and bylaws can hamper the agriculture industry's ability to survive and expand, and can perpetuate urban/rural conflict.

Review local government bylaws to ensure they allow farmers to use normal farm practices.

• 42 local government bylaws reviewed and feedback provided regarding bylaw content relating to farming practice.

Risk:

Local governments can affect both agriculture and aquaculture through bylaws regulating farm size, location, development and operations, resulting in bylaws that are not supportive of agriculture.

Opportunity:

Agriculture industries have a stable zoning and regulatory environment in which to plan business activities.

Develop standards to ensure bylaws are fair and supportive to agriculture.

• Agri-teams consisting of ministry agrologists and resource management planners, as well as Land Commission planners, reviewed their progress with 49 local governments that have significant agriculture land or activity within their jurisdiction.

Work with local governments to develop official community and agriculture area plans so local governments can take action to enhance their agriculture industries.

• Developed and/or reviewed 24 official community plans, two agriculture area plans and ten other land-use plans.

Risk:

The intent of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to sustain agriculture and local food production is not realized.

Support the formation and operation of local agriculture advisory committees that provide local governments with advice on land use planning and regulation, and other issues affecting agriculture, and develop a working relationship with the Union of B.C. Municipalities to improve awareness of agriculture sector needs.

• A provincial Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) workshop held with 125 in attendance, representing all 21 existing AAC's. (The committees are created by local government to advise them on agriculture issues.)
• Supported local government planning as follows:
• Conducted land-use inventories (Chilliwack, Kent and Maple Ridge).
• Supported development of Agriculture Area Plan.
• Developed "Agriculture in Brief" publications for 41 communities.

Baseline index established and tested.

Opportunity:

Agriculture businesses have increased access to land and forage.

Participate with Land and Water British Columbia Inc. (LWBC) and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) in pursuing increased access to Crown land for agriculture and facilitating the development and productive use of these lands.

• Environmental review guidelines for applications received under the Extensive Agriculture Program for unplanned areas were developed and adopted for use by LWBC.
• Assisted MSRM with completion of four coastal plans to support sustainable marine development and diversification for Quatsino Sound, the Malaspina and Okeover Inlets system and Johnston-Bute Inlet.
• 12,000 hectares of Crown land identified for agriculture expansion in the Morice Forest District.
• 15,955 hectares of Crown land identified for agriculture expansion on Vancouver Island.
• Capability and suitability analysis projects initiated in the Cariboo, Bulkley and East Kootenay areas.

Participate with the Ministry of Forests and other ministries to maintain and enhance access to Crown forage and rangelands for livestock grazing.

• The Land Act grazing lease program will continue and existing leases are being renewed for a 20-year term.
• Provided technical input to the Forest and Range Practices legislation and Range Act and Regulation revision.

Low farmer participation in CAIS and Production Insurance results in pressure to government to provide ad hoc funding in times of income/production losses.

Premium increases in Production Insurance result in decline in participation of producers.

If B.C. is not able to meet revised requirements of the Canada-British Columbia Agriculture Policy Framework to revise its premium cost-sharing parameters by March 31, 2006, bringing them in line with national guidelines, they would face lower federal contributions to the program.

• Scheduled 20 information workshops throughout B.C. with attendance of approximately 1,200 producers, to secure the highest possible level of participation.
• Targeted the cattle industry as a specific sector facing market disaster due to the continued closure of the U.S. border. A significant outreach campaign was conducted in 2004, resulting in more than 600 new participants to the CAIS program.
• Partnered with the federal government to provide $55.6 million in short- and long-term financial assistance for farmers and ranchers affected by BSE through CAIS and other ad hoc federal-provincial programs including:
• CAIS (37.6 M);
• Cattle Set-Aside (11.75 M); and
• Other (6.3 M).

Production Insurance:

Government response to farmers reduced the negative financial impact resulting from damage to crops by uncontrollable weather. Highlights include:

• Provided record level coverage in 2004 of $297.7 million for over 5,700 insurance policies.
• Responded to:
• The September snowfall in the Peace River region with payments in excess of $3.5 million for losses;
• Losses in the tree fruit sector with payments exceeding $6 million; and
• Early fall rains causing losses in vegetable sector with payments of over $1.6 million.
• Successfully negotiated the parameters that best meet B.C.'s Production Insurance policy objectives, resulting in minimal premium increases.

Create partnerships or improved linkages with the private sector to increase the efficiency of risk management tools available to farmers in B.C.

• Developed a new Production Insurance product that will be provided to the daffodil industry, with coverage for bulb losses in 2005.
• The ministry worked with the aquaculture and poultry industries to examine and explore risk management tools to address fish and animal health disease losses.

Significant opportunities exist to provide integrated risk management services to producers by integrating management of the two programs.

• Financial and administrative functions and program experts are fully integrated.

Production Insurance:
76%³

Production Insurance — 6% above target

Regulated marketing systems are more accountable and market responsive, and B.C. acquires production quota to meet market growth.

Risk:

Regulated marketing constrains the ability of producers to respond to changing consumer demands for specialty products.

• Adoption of the Regulated Marketing Economic Policy, providing a clear framework of government's expectations for the regulated marketing system overall.
• Improved governance structure that includes the appointment of all board chairs, providing for accountability and the ability to measure performance.
• Established Memoranda of Understanding with the appointed board chairs, providing a means to monitor the application of the Regulated Marketing Economic Policy within each sector.
• Established the policy framework for the supply managed sectors to meet the growing consumer demand for specialty products.

B.C. began actively pursuing improvements to national supply management systems in 2004/05 and is continuing to do so in order to:

• Establish improved market responsiveness to increase B.C.'s allocations.
• Improve the prospects for adding value, particularly with respect to specialty production and further processing opportunities.

Introduction of modern human resource (HR) practices enables the ministry to successfully compete for and retain staff.

Risk:

Lack of ministry resources (manager HR expertise and time) to manage new HR initiatives at the branch level reduces program success.

• Employee Performance Development Plans;
• Flexible Work Arrangements; and
• Succession Planning.

Participation in development of corporate HR initiatives provides opportunity to raise ministry profile and requirements.

Risk:

Time commitment to corporate initiatives reduces resource for ministry strategies.

• Competency Continuation; defining the competencies required by various occupational group;
• Corporate Mentoring Program and Succession Planning; preparing staff to take on leadership roles in the ministry and public service.

Key policy frameworks not up-to-date with ministry service plan objectives.

• Economic Policy Framework established for the Regulated Marketing Sector.
Policy content developed jointly with Ministry of Health Services (MOHS) regarding food safety to provide context for implementation of the Food Safety and Quality Chapter of the APF.

National policy may not reflect B.C.'s position adequately or accurately.

• Provided policy support and agriculture and fisheries concerns to inter-ministry committees responding to federal initiatives such as Climate Change and Species at Risk Act.
• Provided input to federal/provincial/territorial working group developing a National Food Policy Framework to ensure it was supportive of B.C.'s perspective.
• Provided policy support for a Food Policy Charter, including:
  a) Shared responsibility for food safety;
  b) Management of the animal disease/human disease interface; and
  c) ActNow healthy eating strategy.
  The charter will document roles and responsibilities for the ministry, associated agencies and the Ministry of Health Services (MOHS), increasing effectiveness in responding to food safety, animal/public health issues and promoting preventative health care based on healthy eating choices.

Competing policy and regulatory objectives may result in uncertainty for industry and stakeholders.

• Developed strong working relationship with MOHS through advancing development of inter-ministry protocol. An example of output of this partnership includes:
• Development of a proposal, partnering with MOHS, to deliver an extensive multi-level outreach program targeted at approximately 1,450 eligible processors throughout the province. The aim was to advance good manufacturing practices and/or HACCP food safety systems in these processing facilities.

Policy development underway.

• First draft of a comprehensive, government-wide Fisheries Strategic Framework has been completed, based on the B.C. Seafood Sector and Tidal Water Recreational Fishing SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and other reports.

Development of Certainty for All Strategy.

• Completion of a major review of the Pacific Fisheries (the Joint Federal Provincial Task Group on Post-Treaty Fisheries) in 2004 and follow-up work by the ministry yielded announcement of a federal Pacific Fisheries Renewal Strategy. The strategy will be implemented in 2005/06 and will facilitate progress in treaty negotiations and enhance the economic performance of the Pacific fisheries.

Risk:

A lack of formal enterprise-wide risk management techniques may expose the ministry to unforeseen risks for programs and services.

Develop and implement risk management strategies at all levels in the ministry.

• Hired employee to lead Enterprise-wide Risk Management (ERM) initiative.
• Initiated ERM process within ministry.

Effective risk management

Documented risk management strategies at the branch, business area and ministry level.

Performance measures to monitor key risks developed for all business areas.

Status: In Progress

The ministry began to document key risks and opportunities.