About: Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture works to advance Prince Edward Island's primary industries and its approach to food development, production and sales.
Some of the priorities in this mandate are to:
- Grow and sustain all elements of agriculture on PEI
- Support the agriculture industry in their leadership role in climate efforts and protecting the environment
- Work with farmers to ensure that their locally grown products continue to place PEI among the world leaders in food production and innovation
Structure and Employees
Agriculture Resources' mandate includes delivery of farm extension and sustainable resource programs and services for the department; and assurance systems (on-farm food safety; traceability; biosecurity; and emergency preparedness
View employee listThis section provides resources to support agriculture industry development. Development Officers with crop and livestock commodity expertise are available to work with producers and partner with industry organizations and commodity groups on specific production related topics, industry development projects, on-farm innovative technology demonstrations, and applied research trials. In addition, the section is involved with the delivery of funding programs.
View employee listThis section supports the agriculture sector in contributing to society’s priorities of clean soil, water and air resources, improved biodiversity, food safety, traceability and biosecurity by encouraging producers to voluntarily implement beneficial management practices (BMPs) and on-farm assurance systems through delivery of the Agriculture Stewardship, Future Farmer, and Assurance Systems programs.
The section provides technical assistance and advice related to soil conservation, integrated pest management, developing successful and sustainable farm operations and addressing risk related but not limited to on-farm and post-farm food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity, traceability, animal/plant health, emergency management, quality assurance, and surveillance.
View employee listThis Division has a legislated mandate including both terrestrial animals and aquatics, including; animal health protection, promotion and disease prevention; animal health surveillance and disease testing; agricultural research; and assurance systems (on-farm food safety; traceability; biosecurity; and emergency preparedness).
View employee listThis section has responsibilities for delivering high-quality laboratory services.
Dairy Lab - The Dairy Laboratory provides microbiological and compositional analysis of raw milk and finished dairy products.
Plant Health Diagnostics - The Plant Diagnostic Laboratory provides disease identification services for commercial crops and home gardens. The laboratory operates on a seasonal basis from spring until fall.
Soil & Feed - The Soil, Feed and Water testing Laboratory provides chemical analysis of soil, feed, water, plant tissue, and greenhouse media.
Water Microbiology - The Water Microbiology Laboratory provides microbiological analysis of drinking water, surface water and wastewater
View employee listFinance and Corporate Services provides financial, budget and administrative management for the Department.
View employee listThis section is responsible to assist departmental leaders and other personnel with the budget process and regular financial reviews. As well, this unit has the overall responsibility for the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions of the department including claiming activities under Federal-Provincial Agreements. On going support is also provided to departmental users of the ORACLE Financial Information System.
View employee listHuman Resources is part of the PEI Public Service Commission and has been assigned to provide direction, leadership, advice, coaching, and support to the Department of Agriculture and Land with regard to all aspects of human resources (HR) and labour relations (LR) management. It ensures policies and programs are consistent and kept aligned with the strategic direction, while also supporting the department in advancing its mandate. It provides a full range human resource services and support including human resource planning, classification, recruitment and selection, payroll, occupational health and safety, employee assistance program, diversity program, learning and development, French language training and policy development.
View employee listThe Strategic Policy and Evaluation Division provides policy and program development services to the Department of Agriculture and Land (DAL) and the Department of Fisheries and Communities (DFC). The Division is responsible for managing and coordinating priority policy projects and working across Divisions and other areas of Government to advance the DAL and DFC's policy agenda. The Division works to translate priorities into policies, programs and initiatives to produce measurable results, using a series of best practices and applied research methods.
View employee listAgencies, Boards and Commissions
- Agricultural Insurance Corporation Appeal Board
- Agricultural Insurance Corporation
- Farm Practices Review Board
- PEI Grain Elevators Corporation
- PEI Marketing Council
- Natural Products Appeals Tribunal
- Veterinary College Advisory Council
- Veterinary Medical Association Licensing Board
