Canadian Leaders Urge Food Security Be Declared a National Security Priority
A two-day workshop, hosted by the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Simpson Center for Food & Agricultural Policy, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and the Canadian Pork Council, convened leaders from across the agri-food sector and national security fields. Representatives from organizations such as the Canadian Cattle Association, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Farm Credit Canada, TELUS Agriculture, the Royal Military College of Canada, and the University of Guelph participated. The workshop aimed to analyze the profound impacts of escalating geopolitical tensions, biological threats, trade disruptions, and supply chain vulnerabilities on Canada's food system. The central call from these diverse stakeholders is for food security to be recognized and prioritized as a matter of national security.
This gathering highlights a growing global recognition that robust food systems are foundational to national stability, extending beyond mere economic considerations. The convergence of agri-food experts and national security representatives suggests a systemic understanding of interconnected risks. As geopolitical landscapes shift and supply chains face unprecedented stress, policymakers face the challenge of integrating food security into broader national defense and economic strategies. The emphasis on biological threats and trade disruptions points to the need for resilient, diversified food production and distribution networks capable of withstanding future shocks, a critical imperative in an increasingly complex global environment.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.