The governments of Canada and Manitoba are announcing the launch of Manitoba's new online Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) platform, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.
The EFP is a voluntary, confidential self-assessment of a producer's farm. The purpose of the EFP is to assess the features and management practices of a farm in order to develop an action plan to mitigate the identified risks.
The new online version of the EFP is modern, efficient and easy for producers to use and is designed with leading edge cyber security and privacy policies to ensure data is always protected. Online tutorials are available to guide producers through the process. The system has updated and streamlined content and several features, which allow producers to customize their EFP workbook to their specific farm operation. Once a workbook is complete, producers can submit it for third-party review by Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) reviewers.
The online platform integrates national and international sustainable sourcing standards that will allow producers to address market requirements for specific commodity groups. This integration adds value to the Manitoba EFP and reduces burden for producers, noted Johnson.
A completed EFP is required for farms participating in most agri-environmental cost share programming, which directly supports initiatives of the Made-in-Manitoba Climate and Green Plan by enhancing the resiliency and sustainability of the agricultural sector.
By implementing an EFP, producers are able improve air, water and soil quality; conserve biodiversity on Manitoba farmland; contribute to environmental protection and conservation; and, make Manitoba-grown commodities more marketable to environmentally conscious consumers.
