From the Minister

August 03, 2022 | Agriculture
Alberta’s Agri-Food Products and Services Export Catalogue

Connecting international buyers with Alberta product and service suppliers.

March 14, 2022 | Agriculture
Renewing our focus on farm safety

Preventing injuries and illnesses on the farm and in the workplace.

February 22, 2022 | Agriculture
Celebrating Canada’s Agriculture Day

Alberta producers are top-notch and we’re proud of the products grown right here in our home province.

February 01, 2022 | Forestry
Harmful softwood lumber tariffs could see a rate drop this summer

The U.S. Department of Commerce has signalled lower tariffs in its third administrative review of countervailing and anti-dumping duties.

Key information

  • Deregulation of Fusarium Graminearum

    • On June 3, 2020, Minister Dreeshen announced fusarium would be removed from the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation to help farmers and bring Alberta in line with best practices from other provinces.
    • This change means seed growers in Alberta will soon have access to more seed varieties and cereal research.
    • Removing the disease from the regulation will allow Alberta to modernize to managing the disease, rather than having zero tolerance for it.

  • Amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulation

    • On July 29, 2020, Minister Dreeshen announced amendments to the Meat Inspection Regulation which will cut red tape and provide Albertans with greater access to locally produced meat while maintaining food safety.
    • These changes are giving operators more flexibility to meet legislated requirements and increase consumer access to high-quality local products.

  • Softwood Lumber trade dispute

    Agriculture and Forestry is committed to honouring Alberta's domestic and international trade obligations.

    The Department is actively engaged in ongoing trade related negotiations related to natural resources.

    The U.S. is Alberta's largest market for softwood lumber products; and because of the importance of forestry to Alberta's economy, a stable trading relationship is essential.

In focus

Budget

Budget 2022 is moving Alberta forward by building health system capacity, getting more Albertans working, and balancing the budget.

Maintaining strong irrigation systems
The Irrigation Rehabilitation Program is providing $10 million to the province’s irrigation districts for infrastructure improvements.
Supporting Alberta’s agriculture industry through AgriRecovery
Introduced several new supports to help farmers and ranchers through AgriRecovery in response to mass disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Reducing the threat of wildfires
Hired 200 additional firefighters and increased both fine violations and funding to prepare for the 2020 wildfire season during COVID-19.

Biography

Nate Horner was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Drumheller-Stettler on April 16, 2019.

Prior to Mr. Horner’s election, he was a rancher with a cow-calf mix farm operation and avid volunteer in local community organizations.

Mr. Horner has his agriculture business diploma from Olds College and his bachelor of science degree in agriculture from the University of Lethbridge. He was the Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association saddle bronc champion in 2002 and 2004.

Mr. Horner currently serves as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development and is a member of the Treasury Board.