Overview

About AEPA

The AEPA grew out of a need identified by many agricultural organizations for a transparent partnership between government and the agricultural industry, and for a collaborative approach to resolving agri-environmental issues.

The AEPA provides a unified voice on agri-environmental issues in Alberta. The 15 members of its Board of Directors provide communication links to approximately 24 agricultural organizations, as well as federal, provincial and municipal government agencies, and a public stakeholder. The Board is jointly chaired by a representative of Alberta’s agricultural industry and a representative of the Alberta Government. The AEPA Secretariat carries out administrative functions for the AEPA.

Using a consensus-based approach, the AEPA identifies its agri-environmental priorities, sets broad policy directions and coordinates resources to address priority issues. It takes a strategic, proactive approach to achieving its desired outcomes, which are:

Healthy agricultural landscapes that sustain both agricultural productivity and ecological integrity.
- A safe and secure water supply for agricultural production.
- Agricultural practices are managed to optimize productivity while minimizing risks to air, land and water.
Alberta’s agricultural producers are recognized as responsible environmental stewards.

To help achieve their desired outcomes, the AEPA will focus on the following strategic priorities over the next three years:

To engage in land-use, water, and agri-environmental policy development processes.
To provide policy input on innovations and business models that will help the agriculture industry achieve AEPA desired outcomes.
To engage and build understanding with members and industry partners to enable the agriculture industry to be a credible partner in agri-environmental policy development.