"Our Government is working to give young people opportunities in agriculture," said Minister Ritz. "This contribution will help emerging leaders hone their communications skills and spread the message about Canadian agriculture."

The only competition of its kind in Canada, Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture brings together youth from across Canada to speak and debate on emerging issues in the Canadian agricultural industry. Last year, the competition marked its 25th anniversary with more than 20 representatives from across the country competing in both junior and senior competition levels. Funding for CYSA will be used to promote outreach and support for past and future competitors and enhance competition-day activities.

"The future of Canadian agriculture depends on our youth and giving them the opportunity to exchange ideas to grow our industry," said Ted Young, CYSA Chairman. "We are very pleased with the commitment from this Minister to help expand this national speaking competition."

"The Canadian 4-H Council is proud to help Canadian agricultural youth succeed in their endeavours," said Judy Shaw, President of the Canadian 4-H Council. "This contribution will help to encourage youth interested in agriculture to be the best they can be."

The support for the competition is being funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s $3.1-million investment for the Canadian 4-H Council, as part of the Business Development program of Growing Forward, the federal-provincial-territorial initiative aimed at building a profitable sector for all farmers across the country.

The Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition is held annually at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto each November. To find out more, please visit www.cysa-joca.ca/.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Ted Young
CYSA Chairman
519-824-9253
tedyoung@sympatico.ca

Ken Lancastle
Canadian 4-H Council
Communications and Marketing Manager
613-234-4448 ext 27

"Our Government is working to deliver real results for farmers and for all Canadians," said Stockwell Day, Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament (Okanagan-Coquihalla). "Our investment in this project will help farmers maintain their top food safety standards and continue to deliver safe, high quality food to consumers."

The MarketSafe program is an outcome of a federal government commitment of $219,000 towards the implementation of a strategic plan to support the growth and development of B.C.'s farmers markets. Farmers' markets are valuable contributors to local economies, with growing sales in a wide range of farm-fresh, wholesome foods such as fruits and vegetables, specialty cheeses, eggs, meat, seafood, and artisan products.

The project is being led by the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets (BCAFM), a non-profit organization which represents 81 farmers' markets and 3,000 vendors throughout British Columbia.

"I'm glad to see the Association being pro-active on food safety," said Steve Thomson, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Lands. "It's clear that people in B.C. love to shop at farmers' markets. MarketSafe helps them stay confident in the safety and quality of B.C. products, and that can only increase sales."

"I am so excited because it's the first of its kind in Canada. We thank Investment Agriculture Foundation for their support of the BCAFM strategic plan by supplying the funding," said Mary Forstbauer, President of the BCAFM. "A little over a year ago the BCAFM partnered with the B.C. FoodSafe Secretariat to develop MarketSafe. My excitement comes from the fact that MarketSafe will be recognized by health authorities across the province as the standard to be set for farmers' markets and other direct marketers."

This investment was funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's adaptation programming, administered in British Columbia by the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF).

In addition to delivering Canada's Economic Action Plan (EAP), which focuses on strengthening the economy and securing Canada's economic future, the Government of Canada has put into place many other programs that help farmers and stimulate the economy, such as the new adaptation program, the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP).

For more information on CAAP and the IAF, please visit our web sites at www.agr.gc.ca/caap and www.iafbc.com.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Elizabeth Quinn
Manager
B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets
604-734-9797
cell: 778-235-0850
bcafmoffice@gmail.com

"Our Government is always looking for new opportunities for Canadian farmers and processors," said Minister Shea. "We want to give Canadian farmers and processors a competitive edge in the organic sector and help them meet consumer demands at home and abroad by providing organic products of the highest standards."

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) in Canada will receive more than $118,000 from the Government of Canada's AgriMarketing program to stay ahead of international market trends by participating in international trade shows, developing promotional materials, and building a long-term international strategy for the organic sector.

"We are excited about what this federal funding means in terms of building new markets for Canadian organic products," said Matthew Holmes, OTA in Canada's managing director. "The global organic market is expanding rapidly and this support will allow Canada to establish itself as a supplier of quality organic products."

The Canadian Organic Growers Association (COG) will receive almost $50,000 from the Government of Canada's Integrated Food Safety Initiative to develop a strategy for determining how current on-farm food safety systems can best meet the specific needs of organic agriculture. Five organic commodities will be chosen for this project in consultation with organic farmers across the country.

"The Canadian Organic Growers Association is very pleased with the Government of Canada's investment in organic agriculture", said Laura Telford, COG's Executive Director. "This funding will go a long way to enable the organic sector to begin a dialogue with national agricultural commodity groups to customize On-Farm Food Safety Programs to meet the specialized needs of organic farmers."

Both contributions are funded under the Government of Canada's Growing Forward framework. In addition, Canada's Economic Action Plan continues to support agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. By creating jobs and working to develop high quality standards at home and abroad, farmers and food processors play an important role in the economic stability of Canadian communities.

The Canadian organic retail market was valued at close to $2 billion in 2008, representing a 66 per cent growth from the $1.2 billion organic retail value in 2006.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Matthew Holmes
Managing Director
Canada Organic Trade Association
613-482-1717

Laura Telford
Executive Director
Canadian Organic Growers
613-216-0742

"The oil seed industry is an important driver of Canada's economy and that's why our Government is making strategic investments to keep our producers on the cutting-edge of innovation," said Minister Ritz. "This research will help our producers protect their crops, build their operations and their profitability, expand their markets, and continue to provide a healthy product for consumers around the world."

An investment of $14.5 million will bring together the best scientific expertise for the Canola Cluster to focus research and innovation on three areas: oil nutrition, meal nutrition and production, to enable the industry to expand the profile of canola oils as a healthy oil while increasing the value of the meal. Industry partnership is an important element of this initiative and the Canola Council of Canada will invest another $5 million to help them reach the ambitious growth targets they have set for 2015.

"We welcome these substantial investments from the Government of Canada in the future of these important crops, such as canola," said JoAnne Buth, president of the Canola Council of Canada. "The science clusters demonstrate the value of government, industry and farmers working together to increase agricultural production and demand."

The Cluster will also prove beneficial for the flax industry as it will focus on nutritional benefits of flax for humans and animals. The planned clinical trials are aimed to move the flax industry closer to its goal of attaining health claims in its target markets.

"The Flax Council of Canada is very pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the industry to undertake important clinical research on flax in several areas of human health" said Barry Hall, President of the Flax Council of Canada. "Scientific substantiation of health benefits is a cornerstone in which Canadian flaxseed is marketed globally and the results that will arise from this research will be invaluable to our industry across the value chain."

In addition, $4.6 million will fund research of the Clubroot in Canola project to combat a pathogen that threatens canola production. This project will connect research talent from universities with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's own plant pathologists, and biochemists to develop strategies for preventing the spread of clubroot.

Canola is one of Canada's most valuable single field crops, generating more than $4.9 billion in farm gate receipts in 2008. It accounts for more than 216,000 jobs in Canada in production, transportation, crushing, refining, food production and manufacturing. Flax represents another $346 million in farm gate value.

The Canola Cluster is funded under the Canadian Agri-Science Clusters initiative and the Clubroot in Canola project is funded under the Animal and Plant Health Research initiative, both under the Growing Forward framework.

In addition to Growing Forward, Canada's Economic Action Plan supports agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening the economy, while preparing to pay down the deficit and to create and protect the jobs of the future. Investments in viable market opportunities will help build an even stronger canola and flax industries and Canadian economy.

For more information on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's programs visit www.agr.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

JoAnne Buth
Canola Council of Canada
204-982-2100

"The oil seed industry is an important driver of Canada's economy and that's why our Government is making strategic investments to keep our producers on the cutting-edge of innovation," said Minister Ritz. "This research will help our producers protect their crops, build their operations and their profitability, expand their markets, and continue to provide a healthy product for consumers around the world."

An investment of $14.5 million will bring together the best scientific expertise for the Canola Cluster to focus research and innovation on three areas: oil nutrition, meal nutrition and production, to enable the industry to expand the profile of canola oils as a healthy oil while increasing the value of the meal. Industry partnership is an important element of this initiative and the Canola Council of Canada will invest another $5 million to help them reach the ambitious growth targets they have set for 2015.

"We welcome these substantial investments from the Government of Canada in the future of these important crops, such as canola," said JoAnne Buth, president of the Canola Council of Canada. "The science clusters demonstrate the value of government, industry and farmers working together to increase agricultural production and demand."

The Cluster will also prove beneficial for the flax industry as it will focus on nutritional benefits of flax for humans and animals. The planned clinical trials are aimed to move the flax industry closer to its goal of attaining health claims in its target markets.

"The Flax Council of Canada is very pleased to partner with the Government of Canada and the industry to undertake important clinical research on flax in several areas of human health" said Barry Hall, President of the Flax Council of Canada. "Scientific substantiation of health benefits is a cornerstone in which Canadian flaxseed is marketed globally and the results that will arise from this research will be invaluable to our industry across the value chain."

In addition, $4.6 million will fund research of the Clubroot in Canola project to combat a pathogen that threatens canola production. This project will connect research talent from universities with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's own plant pathologists, and biochemists to develop strategies for preventing the spread of clubroot.

Canola is one of Canada's most valuable single field crops, generating more than $4.9 billion in farm gate receipts in 2008. It accounts for more than 216,000 jobs in Canada in production, transportation, crushing, refining, food production and manufacturing. Flax represents another $346 million in farm gate value.

The Canola Cluster is funded under the Canadian Agri-Science Clusters initiative and the Clubroot in Canola project is funded under the Animal and Plant Health Research initiative, both under the Growing Forward framework.

In addition to Growing Forward, Canada's Economic Action Plan supports agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening the economy, while preparing to pay down the deficit and to create and protect the jobs of the future. Investments in viable market opportunities will help build an even stronger canola and flax industries and Canadian economy.

For more information on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's programs visit www.agr.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

JoAnne Buth
Canola Council of Canada
204-982-2100

“When our Government works to open and expand markets for Canadian producers around the world we always point to the clear OIE consensus that Canadian pork and beef is safe,” said Minister Ritz. “We are pleased to continue our strong and respectful working relationship with China. Access to the Chinese market is excellent news for Canadian pork producers and underlines the importance of recognizing international science-based standards.”

In spring of 2009, China banned pork imports from H1N1-affected countries. In December, Prime Minister Harper was successful in getting this ban lifted on his mission to China. Since then, Canada has been working to develop supplementary certification requirements. This successful negotiation will now allow Chinese imports of Canadian pork. China is an important market for Canadian pork valued at $45 million in 2008. Discussions on the Chinese importation of Canadian live swine are continuing and Canada is hopeful for early resolution.

While in Paris this week, Minister Ritz also met with the OIE Director General Bernard Vallat and reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to the OIE by investing an additional $2 million over the next four years.

“Maximizing trade opportunities is a priority of Canada’s Economic Action Plan and supporting the vital international work of the OIE is part of our continued efforts to make sure our producers can compete on a level playing field,” said Minister Ritz. “This increased investment will support the important role the OIE plays in determining international science-based guidelines that govern the safe movement of animals and animal products. “

“The positive impact of animal health policies not only on fair trade but also on poverty reduction and public health is in itself ample justification for financing and maintaining animal health strategies worldwide,” Dr Vallat said. “Canada has always been supportive of OIE’s actions but I would like to stress my personal thanks to the Government of Canada for confirming it through this additional investment.” he added.

Minister Ritz also participated in the OECD Agriculture Ministerial meeting where he raised current global challenges and opportunities to ensure a sustainable future of the food and agriculture system. Minister Ritz underlined the importance of a science-based approach in trade to guarantee the safety of the food and feed systems while keeping international trade flowing.

Minister Ritz’s participation at the OECD provided an opportunity for bilateral meetings with international trade counterparts to discuss market access and outstanding trade issues.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

"Producers have told me they need more time to develop their business plans, meet with lenders, and to negotiate the best terms and rates for their operations, and we've listened," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

"We put Farmers First in the design of our programs, and being flexible with the deadline is a simple way to make the program more responsive to producers' needs," said Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture).

The federal government has worked closely with the Canadian Pork Council to develop the Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program to assist the pork industry in dealing with immediate short-term cash-flow pressures. The program is designed to increase access to credit for eligible producers currently producing hogs in Canada. Eligible producers must provide a business plan which demonstrates that the business is or can be viable and has a reasonable prospect of repaying the loan. The Government of Canada will share the risk for producers who choose this option. The program is not meant to add more debt to a business, but to help producers spread their short-term debt payments over a longer period of time, thereby freeing up cash in the near term.

In addition to the deadline extension for applications under the Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program, the government is also increasing its share of the risk to 90 percent on loans used to repay advances received under the Advance Payments Program. This change will translate in an increase of the reserve allocated to each financial institution to cover potential loan losses.

The Government of Canada and the Canadian Pork Council also partnered to deliver $75 million through the Hog Farm Transition Program to help producers who decide to exit the industry. The program allows producers to tender bids for the amount of funding they need to transition out of the hog industry and cease hog production for at least three years. In addition to these programs, the government is investing $17 million in the International Pork Marketing Fund to fund market research, promotion and activities that enhance international marketing of Canadian pork products.

For more information on these programs, visit: www.agr.gc.ca/HILLRP or call 1-877-842-5601.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Sophie Doucet
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
613-608-3252

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

The financial assistance will help to set up measures aimed at improving management capacity and accelerating the investments necessary for increasing business efficiency.

"This announcement demonstrates the willingness of our Governments to work together to support farm businesses and develop regions. Our objective is to contribute to the sustainability of farm businesses and to help farmers adapt to the many challenges facing them in the current business environment. This financial support will help address farm management, crop production and herd productivity, all which contribute to the growth and survival of the region's farm businesses," said Minister Blackburn.

"In a context in which the Abitibi-Témiscamingue agricultural sector is currently experiencing a particularly difficult situation, agricultural producers, organizations and ministries in our region have a common vision for farm and agri-food development," said Minister Corbeil. "I hope that the financial assistance announced today will help position this sector in local, regional and national markets."

This initiative will be financed by $1.8 million from the Federal Government's Agricultural Flexibility Fund and $2 million from the Government of Quebec.

In the presence of Daniel Bernard, Member for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue, Ulric Chérubin, President of the Rouyn-Noranda Conférence régionale des élus (CRÉ), and Réjean Comeau, President of the regional office of the Union des producteurs agricoles for Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Ministers Corbeil and Blackburn expressed their firm belief that the efforts of the Governments of Quebec and Canada in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region would encourage dynamic land use, as well as help consolidate the agriculture and agri-food sector and support the growth and sustainable development of businesses.

Sources:

Hélène Sauvageau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister responsible for the Abitibi Témiscamingue and Nord du Québec Regions
418-646-9131

Sophie Doucet
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean Pierre Blackburn
613-608-3252

Information:

Clément Falardeau
Public Relations Specialist
Communication Services Branch
418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca.

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Energy Loan is designed to assist producers and agribusiness owners who want to make the move towards producing their own renewable energy. The loan announcement came as part of Minister Ritz's presentation to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) Annual General Meeting held today in Ottawa.

"There are sources of energy all around Canadian farmyards and we're helping producers invest in the technologies needed to tap those opportunities," said Minister Ritz. "This initiative is good for the environment and it's good for the bottom line on farms across Canada."

"We're definitely seeing an increase in the number of people across the country that are interested in renewable energy sources to reduce costs and demand on the energy grid," says Greg Stewart, FCC President and Chief Executive Officer. "The Energy Loan ensures FCC is taking an active role on the renewable energy front and shows our commitment to improving rural Canada."

A recent FCC Vision survey showed that 60 per cent of individuals surveyed are considering new ways to find financial value by reducing their environmental impact. The survey, completed in November 2009 by 1,172 producers and agribusinesses across the country, revealed that 37 per cent of those people looking at reducing their impact are considering the use of renewable energy sources in their operation.

Available on March 1, the Energy Loan will help producers and agribusiness operators purchase and install on-farm energy sources like biogas, geo-thermal, wind or solar power. The Energy Loan offers an interest term of up to five years at variable or fixed rates and with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual payments available.

For more information on our Vision survey, visit: www.fccvision.ca/InAction.aspx

As Canada's leading provider of business and financial services to farms and agribusiness, FCC advances the business of agriculture. Operating out of about 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of more than $18 billion and 16 consecutive years of portfolio growth reflect our customers' success. FCC reports to Canada's parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. For more information, visit www.fcc.ca.

In addition to this loan's support for Canadian farmers, Canada's Economic Action Plan continues to support agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening the economy, while preparing to pay down the deficit and to create and protect the jobs of the future. Investments in viable, innovative technologies will help strengthen agriculture industry and the Canadian economy. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information about the new loan, please contact:

Shaun Humphries
Corporate Communication
Farm Credit Canada
306-780-6987
shaun.humphries@fcc-fac.ca

Éva Larouche (bilingual)
Corporate Communication
Farm Credit Canada
1-888-780-6647
eva.larouche@fac-fcc.ca

For more information on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's programs visit www.agr.gc.ca or media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

"Agriculture is a powerful economic driver in Canada," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture). "With this investment, our Government is not only helping young farmers, we are also investing in the future of agriculture."

Established in 1997, CYFF promotes the exchange of ideas and fosters collaboration among young and future farmers in Canada. The Government of Canada's investment in CYFF will help young farmers stay on the leading edge of change.

Specifically, the investment will go towards:

• Organizing meetings where young farmers from across Canada have the opportunity to exchange ideas on solutions to the problems encountered by young people looking to become established in agriculture;
• Host workshops on farm business management practices to strengthen the capacity of young farmers to improve the profitability of their operations;
• Support provincial young farmers' organizations;
• Provide increased information for young farmers through their newsletter and web site.

"On behalf of young farmers across Canada, we are very pleased that the Government has invested in our organization and the future of agriculture," said Ian Richardson, President of the Canadian Young Farmers Forum. "The funding will ensure long-term training for young farmers and assist in leveraging partnerships for growth and stability for the future."

The funding allocated to the Canadian Young Farmers' Forum comes from the Business Development program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Growing Forward initiative - the national agricultural policy framework aimed at building a competitive and innovative sector for all farmers across the country.

"This investment in CYFF is just one way that our government has been supporting the future of the agricultural industry. The Economic Action Plan is also helping the future of the industry through measures such as the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act. Changes to the act are improving access to credit for new farmers, doubling loan limits to a maximum of $500,000" elaborated Minister Blackburn.

Having recently concluded a series of fruitful meetings with young farmers, agri-food industry representatives and academia from various countries, Minister Blackburn also announced that he is about to implement an action plan which aims to answer the issues that were brought up during these exchanges and help young farmers steadily shape the future of Canadian agriculture .

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Sophie Doucet
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
613-608-3252