Environmental and food safety initiatives in Ontario agriculture: Recommendations for an integrated on-farm risk management program for fruit and vegetable producers

On-farm risk management programs, including nutrient management planning, the Environmental Farm Plan and food safety, are becoming the cost of doing business in Ontario agriculture. A combination of survey and interview data from Ontario fruit and vegetable producers was used to explore the perceptions and practices of producers for environmental and food safety measures. Media analyses of organic agriculture and Ontario's Nutrient Management Act provided context in which to frame North American consumers' perceptions of risk concerning food and the environment. Three options for integrating environmental and food safety initiatives for fruit and vegetable producers were proposed that could meet the objectives of the different programs while simplifying overlapping requirements, particularly concerns over water quality and manure use. These options provide a platform on which to further discussions between governments and industry groups for coordinating regulations and programs that improve production, environmental quality and safety of fresh produce.