WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/AG/N/CAN/61 
18 April 2006 
 (06-1776) 
Committee on Agriculture Original:   English/ 
 French 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION 
  
 The following submission, dated 7 April 2006, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Canada .  The notification concerns new or m odified domestic suppor t measures exempt 
from reduction ( Table DS:2 ). 
 G/AG/N/CAN/61 
Page 2  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measures:  
 
Programme d'appui aux services-conseils et à l'établissement  (Support for Advisory Services 
and for Farm Enterprise Start-Ups) (Quebec) 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
This programme is the successor programme to the Framework Program in Support for Agriculture and Agri-Food Development in the Regions, 2000-2003 (G/AG/N/CAN/54).  It 
provides support for a variety of services, such  as management advisory services, technical 
services, networking, services regarding farm transfers and start-ups and genetic evaluation of 
livestock.  There are no transfers to producers or processors.  The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(a) a nd (d) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is for research and extension and advisory services.  Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or processors.  
(4) Cost of measure:  
 
 Approximately $4.0 million per year 
 
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2003 
 
(6) Period of application:  
 
 On-going  (7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
 
 Any products.   G/AG/N/CAN/61 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
Programme d'appui financier aux associations de producteurs désignées  (Financial Support 
Program for Designated Producers' Associations) (Quebec) 
 
 (2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:   
 
This objective of this programme is to provide support to prod ucer associations to encourage 
the development of innovation and new technologi es.  Financial assistance is provided to the 
associations to:  (i) help provide services to their members and help in the development of 
their industry;  (ii) stimulate the developm ent of markets within and outside Quebec;  
(iii) help in the development and appli cation of new technologies and support genetic 
improvement efforts; and (iv) encourage the development and adoption of services, tools or 
new technologies, and networking among producers' associations and research centres.  
 
The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(d) and (f) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is for exte nsion and advisory services;  and marketing 
and promotional services.  Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or 
processors. 
 
(4) Cost of measure:  
  The total cost of the programme is $3.9 million. 
 
(5) Date of entry into effect: 
 
 1 January 2004 
 (6) Period of application:  
 
 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2007 
 
(7)       Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)) 
 
 Any product. G/AG/N/CAN/61 
Page 4  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
Programme de soutien au développe ment de l'agriculture biologique  (Organic Agriculture 
Support Program) (Quebec) 
 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
The objective of this programme is to foster the development of the organic sector by providing financial assistance to groups in the organic sector for:  (i) the administration of 
certification, surveillance and control systems fo r organic products;  (ii) the dissemination of 
information relating to organic products; a nd (iii) marketing and promotion of organic 
products. Activities include the administration of certification, surveillance and control 
systems for organic products; the developm ent of guides on organic production, the 
development of networks, holding organic sym posiums; and analysis on markets and factors 
affecting supply and demand.   
 The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(d) and (f) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is for exte nsion and advisory services; and marketing and 
promotional services.  Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or processors. 
 
(4) Cost of measure:  
  Approximately $750,000 per year 
 
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2002 
 
(6) Period of application:  
 
 On-going  (7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
  
 Organic products  G/AG/N/CAN/61 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
  Appui au développement de l'agricultu re et de l'agroalimentaire en région: Appui à la 
concertation (Support for Regional Agricultural and Agri-Food Development:  Appui à la concertation) (Quebec)  
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
Appui à la concertation is the successor progra mme to ConcertAction (G/AG/N/CAN/54).  It 
provides assistance to encourage collaboration within the agriculture and agrifood sectors 
(e.g., agri-food chains and regional agri-food collaboration organizations) to encourage 
market development.    The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(a) a nd (d) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is for research and extension and advisory services.  Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or processors.  
 (4) Cost of measure:  
 
 Approximately $1.2 million per year  
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2003 
 
(6) Period of application:  
 
 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006 
 
(7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)): 
 
Any product. G/AG/N/CAN/61 
Page 6  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
Programme de soutien à l'innovation horticole (Horticultural innovation support program) 
(Quebec) 
 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria: 
  
The objectives of the programme are to assist th e horticulture sector in the adoption of new 
technologies and the transfer of knowledge rela ted to horticultural production and to provide 
safer pest control management.  Examples of projects are pest control product trials, 
development of diagnostic tools and screeni ng methods, adaptation of new crop protection 
methods, and cultivar trials.  Associations a nd groups of farm producers, technical support 
clubs and research organizations are eligible to apply under the programme.  
The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(a) a nd (d) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is fo r research and extension/advisory services.  
Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or processors. 
 
(4) Cost of measure:  
 
 Approximately $300,000 per year 
 
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
November 2003 
 
(6) Period of application:   
   On-going 
 
(7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
 
 Horticultural products  G/AG/N/CAN/61 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
Prime-Vert  (Quebec) 
 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agricultu re, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation   
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
This programme, which was notified in G/AG/N/ CAN/50, is now an on-going programme.  It 
also incorporated activities under the Programme agroenvironnemen tal de soutien à la 
stratégie phytosanitaire , which was notified in G/AG/N/CAN/44.   
 
The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(a) a nd (d) of the General 
Services category for payments that do not involv e direct payments to producers or processors 
and the policy specific criteria under paragraph 12 th at involve direct payments to producers.  
The support is provided through a publicly-f unded government programme not involving 
transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing price support to producers.  Support is either for research and exte nsion or to producers to offset part of the 
incremental cost of implementing clearly defi ned environmental initiatives as authorized by 
the Ministère de l'environnement  (Ministry of the Environment). 
 (4) Cost of measure:  
  
$239 million over 5 years.  
 
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2004 
 
(6) Period of application:   
 
 On-going 
 
(7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
 
 Any products G/AG/N/CAN/61 
Page 8  
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
Programme de recherche tec hnologique en bioalimentaire  (Bio-food Technological Research 
Program) (Quebec) 
 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
The objectives of the programme are to help  improve the competitiveness of the bio-food 
sector and to respond to the expectations of society regarding food safety, the environment 
and regional development.  Support is provided for feasibility studies; research projects on 
technological aspects of product or process i nnovation in the bio -food sector; and the 
facilitation of transfer of research results to in dustry; and to strengthe n the links between the 
industry and research institutions, stimulate the establishment of a scientific culture in the 
industry, and to encourage networking amongst stakeholders.   
 
The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraphs 2(a) a nd (d) of the General 
Services category.  The support is provide d through a publicly-funded government 
programme not involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing 
price support to producers.  Support is fo r research and extension/advisory services.  
Expenditures do not involve direct payments to producers or processors. 
  
(4) Cost of measure:  
 
 The total cost of the programme is $4 million.   
 
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2003  
(6) Period of application:  
 
 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006  
(7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
  Any product  G/AG/N/CAN/61 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Table DS:2 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: CANADA  
 
Notification under Article 18:3 of the Agreement:  
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
(1) Full title of measure:  
 
 Appui à la diversification et à la transformati on en agriculture et en agroalimentaire dans les 
régions-ressources et dans des territoires ciblés 2002-2006  (Support for diversification and 
processing in agriculture and agri-food in th e resource regions and target territories, 
2002-2006) (Quebec) 
 
(2) Domestic legislation reference:  
 
 Act respecting the Ministère de l'Agriculture,  des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation  
 
(3) Detailed description of measure with reference to criteria:  
 
This programme is the successor programme to th e Fonds de développement de la Gaspésie et 
Fonds du ministère des regions (G/AG/N/C AN/54).  The programme supports certain 
disadvantaged regions in Quebec that are expe riencing demographic declines and job losses. 
The project is aimed at promoting agricultu ral development as an economic engine by 
increasing processing in the regions, supporting development of niche products and developing complementary activities.  None of  the measures are linked to product prices or 
the type of production. They are available to all producers.  
 The programme conforms to the general criteria of Paragraph 1 of Annex 2 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and the policy specific criteria under paragraph 13 (regional assistance programmes).  The support is pr ovided through a publicly-funde d government programme not 
involving transfers from consumers and does not have the effect of providing price support to 
producers.  The regions and municipalities are clearly designated geographical areas that are 
considered disadvantaged based on neutral criteria (e.g., unemployment rate).  The programme is available to all producers in the disadvantaged region.   
 
(4) Cost of measure:  
 
 The total cost of the programme is $12 million.  
(5) Date of entry into effect:  
 
1 April 2001 
 
(6) Period of application:  
 
 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2006   (7) Main products to benefit (specify individual product(s)):  
 
 Any products  
__________