News release

News releases are also available via our RSS Feeds.

CANADIAN FARM BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN ONTARIO

OTTAWA, January 30, 2004 - Ontario producers can now access the Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services (CFBAS), a single entry point for professional business planning services.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Bob Speller and Steve Peters, Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food, announced the service today, as a follow up to the signing of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) Implementation Agreement in December 2003.

"This national program is now available to help Ontario producers to make the informed business decision necessary in a complex and challenging environment," said Mr. Speller. "Ontario producers have demonstrated over the years they have what it takes to succeed. We want to help them build on that success by providing the tools and information they need."

"Access to top-notch farm business management information and advice is more important now than ever," said Steve Peters, Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food. "Producers need a competitive edge to meet global market challenges and opportunities."

Services now available include an initial consultation and a Farm Business Assessment, which includes farm financial assessment and an action plan. Participating producers will receive up to five days of consultation with a business planning professional and a one day follow up for a fee of $100. As a pre-assessment, producers can evaluate their current financial situation using an electronic benchmark tool available at www.agr.gc.ca/compare.

Specialized Business Planning Services and a Planning and Assessment for Value-added Enterprises program will be made available soon.

Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services is part of the renewal element of the APF that helps provide farmers with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to succeed in farming.

"Agriculture has become increasingly knowledge intensive, and producers are more attentive to the environment and consumer demands for safe, high quality foods," said Mr. Speller. "The Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services have been developed to provide farmers with the assistance these professionals need to succeed in a modern business environment."

All farmers with gross annual farm sales of at least $10,000 may access CFBAS. Farmers using the available services (farm financial assessment and action plan) may select their advisor from a list of qualified consultants. Under a cost-sharing agreement, the federal government will provide up to $10.19 million in Ontario over five years to help fund the CFBAS.

There are approximately 59,700 farms in Ontario representing a total capital value of more than $50.5 billion. The agriculture industry in Ontario has a total annual production of just over $8.5 billion.

Producers can apply and obtain more details on the Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services by calling the regional AAFC office, 1-866-452-5558 or consulting the AAFC Web site, www.agr.gc.ca/renewal/cfbas. Producers in Northern Ontario should call the OMAF Northern Regional Office at 1-800-461-6132.

Other information and resources for agricultural business planning can be obtained from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food web site at www.omaf.gov.on.ca, by sending an email to ag.info@omaf.gov.on.ca or by calling the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.

-30-

For more information contact:

Vern Greenshields
Communications Adviser
Minister Speller's Office
Ottawa
(613) 759-1020

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(613) 759-7972

Mary Devorski
Minister Peters' Office
(416) 326-3077 or
(416) 606-8303 (mobile)

News releases index :

Choose a year 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 Choose a month February January February March April May June July August September October November December