The following resolutions were debated at the January 21, 2026 Provincial ASB Conference.
RESOLUTION 1-26: EMERGENCY REGISTRATION OF 2% LIQUID STRYCHNINE FOR RICHARDSON’S GROUND SQUIRREL (RGS) CONTROL
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST That Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Health Canada, work with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and make 2% liquid strychnine available to farmers/ranchers for the 2026 season and beyond.
RESOLUTION 2-26: EXEMPTION OF AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT FROM CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999 EMISSION LIMITS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that Agriculture and Agri Food Canada, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, and Alberta Environment work with the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada to exempt agricultural equipment and vehicles from emission limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) so that the waste of maintaining diesel exhaust fluid and selective catalytic reduction systems can be eliminated.
RESOLUTION 4-26: RURAL WATER DISTRIBUTION AND CONNECTIVITY FUNDING
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta expand water infrastructure funding to include distribution and service connections for farms, rural residences, and small communities through an equitable cost-sharing program.
RESOLUTION PC1-26: MODERNIZING ALBERTA’S RAT CONTROL PROGRAM
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST That the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation perform a full strategic review and modernization of Alberta’s Rat Program, ensuring its effectiveness and responsiveness to current and emerging pest management challenges throughout the province;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Province of Alberta include the creation of a working group composed of members from ASBs, RMA, AM, AISC, GOA ministries, FNM and adjacent jurisdictions to provide direction and recommendations to the GOA for the modernization of Alberta’s Rat Program.
RESOLUTION PC2-26: ON-FARM MEAT PROCESSING
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation initiates a comprehensive, transparent, and timely reviews of the On-Farm Slaughter Operation (OFSO) program—including all regulatory changes, licensing requirements, and enforcement measures—be conducted with meaningful stakeholder input, with the aim of minimizing administrative burdens and financial uncertainty for small-scale processors.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reduce unnecessary red tape and ensure that regulatory policies do not disproportionately hinder small, rural operators and supports long-term viability, economic sustainability, and growth of Alberta’s local meat production while simultaneously meeting traceability and safe food safety requirement.
RESOLUTION PC4-26: URGENT REFORMS TO CFIA AND PMRA
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Government of Canada to urgently implement changes to the mandates, processes, and accountability structures of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), including enabling legal authority to meaningfully consider and respond to feedback from industry stakeholders and Canadians;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Government of Canada immediately move CFIA and PMRA from Health Canada back under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to restore alignment with agriculture and improve responsiveness, and that both agencies be legally required to factor in practical on-farm realities, business disruptions, animal welfare, and scientific evidence when making decisions.
RESOLUTION E1-26: VACANT BIOLOGICAL CONTROL SCIENTIST POSITION
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to immediately fill the vacant Research Scientist – Weed Biological Control position at the AAFC Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, to restore Canada’s critical capacity for biocontrol research and protect producers and land managers from the impacts of invasive species.
RESOLUTION E2-26: LIVESTOCK TRACEABILITY UPDATE CONCERNS
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ALBERTA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST the Government of Canada, specifically the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Government of Alberta suspend the implementation of additional mandatory livestock traceability regulations under Part XV indefinitely, and until a comprehensive risk assessment is completed that fully evaluates the impacts on small-scale and mixed farming operations, as well as the broader downstream effects on rural communities.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ALBERTA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST the Government of Canada, specifically the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Government of Alberta maintain the pause on the proposed Part XV amendments until regionally representative consultations are completed and producer feedback is incorporated into any revised regulatory framework.
