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ALBERTA FARMERS DO THEIR PART TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT

EDMONTON, Alberta, October 26, 2007 - The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and Mr. John Donner, Assistant Deputy Minister, Environment and Food Safety Sector, on behalf of the Honourable George Groeneveld, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Food, today announced that over 7,000 Albertan producers have completed Environment Farm Plans (EFP), which will help to ensure that agricultural production in the province is environmentally responsible.

"I am pleased to say that Alberta farmers are 'walking the talk' and doing their part to be more environmentally responsible," said Minister Ritz. "The Government of Canada will continue to support and work with Alberta's producers to develop and implement sound management practices that will reduce agriculture's impact on the environment."

"I applaud Alberta's producers, who have become leaders when it comes to running environmentally sustainable operations," said Mr. Donner. "With the continued help of the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company, we will be able to sustain and expand our capacity in the transition from the first Agricultural Policy Framework."

Producers who complete an Environmental Farm Plan gain increased awareness of environmental risks on the farm, as well as financial and technical assistance to implement solutions for managing the environmental risks. Solutions include on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) such as improved manure storage and handling, improved wintering site management, and technologies to improve cropping systems.

Alberta's EFP program is delivered by the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company and supported by federal and provincial governments under the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF). Over $60 million will be invested for on-farm beneficial management practices by farmers and government in Alberta.

This program is one of the important programs helping to position Canada as a world leader in environmentally responsible agricultural production. For more information on AAFC's stewardship programs, visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or for more information on Environmental Farm Plans in Alberta, please visit The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company.

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For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

Patrick J. McCloskey
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-759-1059

Mike Slomp
Executive Director
Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company
780-436-2339
1-866-844-2337

Alberta Agriculture and Food
780-422-1005