CASI will spend a few months consulting on a sustainability platform.Ottawa-After about a year of preparation, the Canadian Agri-food Sustainability Initiative (CASI) has been launched with Keith Currie as one of two co-chairs.The outgoing President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture will work with Paul Uys from Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph to run CASI's Governance Committee. It will provide expert oversight for the research, engagement, and development of CASI's platform. It will also oversee CASI's core activities, which include project coordination, industry engagement, development of the CASI online platform, and knowledge transfer and communications.To the end of March, CASI will be reaching out to government, academia, industry and other not-for-profit groups to conduct a series of interviews to inform the development of the sustainability platform.In a statement, CASI said, “The urgency of the sustainability conversation is growing. Markets are demanding more transparency, data and storytelling from their food chain.”To meet that requirement, “CASI will build leadership and co-operation for supply chain sustainability data, programs, tools, and collaboration opportunities.”The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is taking the lead in supporting the development and implementation of CASI. “In addition to having members of its board on CASI's Governance Committee, the CFA board of directors will have final approval on CASI activities.”The Wilton Consulting Group of Fergus will provide CASI with strategic research and engagement expertise, the statement said. Wilton “is focused on facilitating sustainability and innovation in agri-food and rural systems through a change management approach.”The other Governance Committee members are Lynn Jacobson, Alberta Federation of Agriculture; Marcel Hacault, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association; John Jamieson, Canadian Centre for Food Integrity; Frank Annau, CFA; Canadian Horticulture Council; Monica Hadarits, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef; Susie Miller, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops; David McInnes, DMci Strategies; Kristy House, Equestrian Canada; Darlene McBain, Farm Credit Canada; Jennifer Lambert, Loblaw Companies; Jeff Fitzpatrick-Stilwell; Jackie Wepruk, National Farm Animal Care Council; Mark Reusser, OFA; Ron Maynard, P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture; and Cher Mereweather; Provision Coalition.McInnes headed the cross-country consultations on sustainability during 2020 and pulled together its findings in a late October report that called for A National Sustainability Index to provide a credible measure of Canada's performance.As well, the 25-member Green Budget Coalition has called on the federal government for a sustainability plan to protect the environment, tackle climate change and deal with the biodiversity crisis.Sustainable agriculture is one key component of the plan, the Coalition says. “We can do this while maintaining a strong agriculture and food sector, employing millions of Canadians, and supporting biodiversity and agrobiodiversity on our land base.”Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.