Partnerships and agreements

Regulated marketing in B.C. / Partnerships and agreements

The B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) works closely with other governments and industry partners to support effective regulation across Canada’s agri-food system. These partnerships and formal agreements enable a cooperative approach to regulated marketing.

National collaboration on regulated marketing

BCFIRB contributes to national decision-making and shares responsibility for maintaining a stable and fair supply-managed system.

BCFIRB works with:

  • Regulated commodity boards and commissions in B.C.
  • Supervisory agencies in other provinces and territories
  • The federal government

These relationships help ensure Canada’s regulated agricultural sectors run smoothly.

Networking with industry partners

BCFIRB regularly connects with other organizations to share knowledge, improve coordination, and strengthen the regulated marketing system. These partners include:

Federal-provincial-territorial agreements

Federal-provincial-territorial agreements support national cooperation by helping to:

  • Align rules and standards across provinces
  • Coordinate quota and pricing for supply-managed products (like eggs, dairy, and poultry)
  • Help resolve disputes between provinces, or between marketing boards and commissions
  • Make sure B.C.’s interests are represented in national decision-making
  • Ensure supply management rules are applied fairly across Canada

Signatories typically include:

  • Federal, provincial and territorial ministers
  • Other national supervisory bodies
  • Provincial supervisory agencies like BCFIRB
  • Provincial regulated marketing boards and commissions

By signing these agreements, BCFIRB accepts shared responsibility to protect B.C.’s interests while supporting a stable national food system.

Agreements BCFIRB has signed

BCFIRB is a signatory to national agreements for:

These agreements are signed jointly with the B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food and sector boards and commissions, reflecting shared responsibility for supply management in B.C.

Milk sector exception

BCFIRB is not a signatory to the National Milk Marketing Agreement. However, the B.C. Milk Marketing Board must get BCFIRB’s approval before entering federal or inter-provincial agreements.

National Association of Agri-Food Supervisory Agencies (NAASA)

BCFIRB is a member of the National Association of Agri-Food Supervisory Agencies (NAASA), a national group that includes:

NAASA supports Canada’s regulated agri-food system by:

  • Sharing information
  • Providing strategic direction
  • Supporting an environment that promotes industry development
  • Supporting cooperation on global marketing issues

BCFIRB meets regularly with other NAASA members to:

  • Share updates on regulated marketing in B.C.
  • Advance the interests of B.C.’s regulated marketing sectors

NAASA’s governance principles

NAASA members created shared principles to guide strong, effective oversight in the regulated marketing system.