The mandate of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is to provide information, research and technology and policies and programs to achieve its three strategic outcomes: Security of the Food System, Health of the Environment and Innovation for Growth.

The Department's responsibilities embrace most aspects of the agricultural industry. It carries out research into the physical and economic problems of agriculture; assists with market and export development; and carries out programs aimed at environmentally sustainable resource use. The Department enforces laws governing the sales of feed, fertilizers and pesticides; and assists farmers through measures such as production insurance. It also supervises racetrack betting.

AAFC is developing and implementing a new policy framework, Growing Forward. The vision of Growing Forward is a profitable and innovative agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products industry that seizes opportunities in responding to market demands and contributes to the health and well-being of Canadians.

Three common policy outcomes will be pursued in developing the policy framework. The policy outcomes are: a competitive and innovative sector; a sector that contributes to society's priorities and a sector that is proactive in managing risks.