AAFC News Releases - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

2013-05-13T00:00:00-04:00

Government Investment Helping Quebec Cattle Sector Become More Competitive

2013-05-13T00:00:00-04:00

Lévis, Quebec, May 13, 2013 – Cattle producers in Quebec and eastern Canada will see a drop in their carcass disposal and handling costs thanks to the opening today of a biomass boiler plant at the Sanimax rendering facility in Lévis, by MP Jacques Gourde (Lotbinière—Chutes-de-la-Chaudière) on behalf of Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture) Christian Paradis.

The plant, which is capable of destroying Specified Risk Material (SRM), was commissioned with a federal government repayable investment of up to $7.7 million and is intended to benefit cattle producers, abattoirs and meat processors.

"Our government's top priority remains jobs and economic growth, and through the Economic Action Plan we are helping the livestock sector stay competitive in national and international markets,” MP Gourde said. "This plant will help meat processors and cattle producers throughout Quebec and eastern Canada become more competitive by offering them more cost-effective and safe disposal facilities.”

In addition to being able to incinerate up to 10,350 tonnes of processed SRM annually, the plant generates enough energy to power approximately 40 per cent of its own needs. Tipping fees that are paid to abattoirs for the disposal of SRM have gone down by $22.50 per tonne, while the cost of picking up deadstock has decreased by 56 per cent (from $90/head to $40/head).

"Thanks to the $15.5M biomass boiler, we can now turn animal protein waste into energy while reducing our CO2 emissions by close to 22,000 metric tonnes a year,” said Sanimax President and CEO Martin Couture. "As you can imagine, we are very proud of our achievement.”

This project was funded under the Slaughter Waste Innovation Program (SWIP), which was part of Economic Action Plan 2011 and provided up to $40 million to support the study, development and adoption of innovative technologies or processes that help reduce processing costs or generate profits through the use or elimination of SRM.

A new Growing Forward 2 policy framework, which came into effect on April 1, 2013, will continue to drive competitiveness and long-term growth in Canada. In addition to a generous suite of business risk management programs, governments have agreed to invest more than $3 billion over five years in innovation, competitiveness, and market development.

For more information on the Growing Forward 2 agreement and the new programs, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/growingforward2.

For more information, contact:

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

Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001

Mario Couture
Vice President (Strategy)
Sanimax
514-648-6001 Ext 3316

2013-05-10T00:00:00-04:00

Canada and Saskatchewan Support Value-Added Processors

2013-05-10T00:00:00-04:00

Funding to find efficiencies and improve production in processing facilities

Today, Member of Parliament Ray Boughen (Palliser), on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced $10 million over five years for the Saskatchewan Lean Improvements in Manufacturing (SLIM) program.

“Our Government is proud to invest in programs that help strengthen Saskatchewan agriculture and overall economic growth,” said MP Boughen. “When agri-business processors achieve greater efficiencies, they improve not only their businesses, but also the bottom line of our farmers and the long term prosperity for the Canadian economy.”

“As our agriculture industry grows, there is a demand to provide safe, reliable products more efficiently and effectively than ever before,” Stewart said. “Increasing our value-added processing is a key component of our plan for growth and this new initiative will help to achieve that goal and grow the industry.”

The new SLIM program will provide funding to help value-added agribusiness processors adopt best practices, new technologies, and state-of-the-art processes that stimulate improvements in productivity and efficiency.

The SLIM program will provide funding for lean gap analysis to help applicants identify process improvements, associated equipment, facility modifications, and training requirements related to improvements in productivity and efficiency. Eligible expenditures under the gap analysis include consultant fees and expenses directly related to the cost of developing the assessment. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of eligible and approved expenses to a maximum of $20,000 per applicant.

The program also includes an infrastructure component, which will provide funding for facility modifications, equipment and associated installation and training to improve productivity as identified in the gap analysis. This would include projects such as process automation, process improvements and technology adoption. Funding is available for up to 50 per cent of eligible and approved expenses. The maximum project allocation per applicant is $500,000.

The SLIM program is open to Saskatchewan agri-businesses involved in value added processing of agricultural products, such as food, feed and bio-products.

“Our goal is to produce top-quality products and if we can find a more efficient way to serve our clients’ needs, we will look at any and all opportunities,” Tony Martinez, President of Donald’s Fine Foods said. “This program will allow agribusinesses, like ours, with the extra incentive to improve our overall processes.”

Interested applicants can find more information on the Ministry of Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/growingforward2.

This funding is provided under the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 framework. The federal and provincial governments will invest $388 million in Saskatchewan for strategic initiatives, under Growing Forward 2, over five years, an increase of more than $25 million per year over the previous Growing Forward framework.

For more information, contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Phone: 613-773-7972

Jeff English
Office of Gerry Ritz
Phone: 613-773-1059

Tiffany Stephenson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: tiffany.stephenson@gov.sk.ca

2013-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

Canada Expands Export Opportunities for Sheep and Goat Genetics to Turkey

2013-05-07T00:00:00-04:00

Ottawa, Ontario, May 7, 2013 - Beginning today, Canadian producers will benefit from more export opportunities in the Middle East. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today that Turkey has approved imports of sheep and goat genetics from Canada.

"We are pleased that Turkey recognizes the safety and high quality of Canadian agricultural products," said Minister Ritz. "This agreement is an important achievement in our continued efforts to expand market access so Canadian producers can continue to grow our economy."

Access to the Turkish market flows from the Government's trade expansion goals and is the result of its focused efforts to create new opportunities and science-based trade for Canadian producers. Successful expansion of the Turkish market will also result in better awareness of Canadian products and services in the surrounding countries, leading to potential new market opportunities. Advancing trade with other countries in this region has been at the forefront for Canadian producers, as Turkey is viewed as a priority and emerging market.

"The Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) thanks the Government of Canada for finalizing these protocols," said Rick McRonald, President of the CLGA. "The demand in Turkey for Canadian sheep and goat genetics is growing, so the resolution of the interruption in technical market access came at a crucial time. Canadian exporters will now be able to engage with their Turkish clients and partners in the confidence that technical barriers to trade in semen and embryos have been removed."

Total Canadian exports of animal genetics (semen and embryos) reached $103.6 million in 2012, representing an important export commodity. Producers will now have access to another market open to our high-quality agricultural products. The CLGA estimates the potential value of this market to be $250 000 over five years.

End-of-year trade statistics indicate that 2012 was Canada's best export year on record for the agriculture and food industry. In 2012, exports of Canadian agricultural and seafood products reached $47.7 billion, up 7.4 per cent from $44.4 billion in 2011.

Today's announcement is another example of what is being accomplished to enhance competitiveness and long-term growth in Canadian agriculture—priorities under the Growing Forward 2 policy framework. In addition to multi-year funding for risk management programs, Growing Forward 2 includes $3 billion in strategic initiatives for innovation, competitiveness, and market development.

For more information, media may contact:

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

Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Canada and Quebec Governments Inaugurate the Platform for Innovation in Organic Agriculture

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, May 3, 2013 - Quebec Minister of Higher Education, Research and Science and Technology (MERST), Pierre Duchesne, the Deputy Premier of Quebec and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, François Gendron, as well as Christian Paradis, federal Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), are proud to inaugurate the Platform for Innovation in Organic Agriculture, an initiative of the Institut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement (IRDA), in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec.

The federal Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture) Christian Paradis stated the following: “The creation of this infrastructure will definitely strengthen growth in Quebec’s organic agriculture sector, by improving not only the competitiveness of producers but also the environmental performance of farms. This is a compelling demonstration of an effective use of the Agricultural Flexibility Fund.”

“This platform is turning out to be a world-class facility that will allow the IRDA to increase its competitiveness in a growing sector and thus attract and retain top researchers. Research, development and knowledge transfer in the field of organic crop production will draw on the expertise of our researchers and agricultural producers. Supporting excellence in research and innovation to benefit all Quebecers remains a priority,” said Minister Duchesne.

The Platform for Innovation in Organic Agriculture is a platform for R&D, knowledge transfer, and training in organic crop production. For the IRDA and its partners, it is a huge, open-air laboratory with a range of exclusive, state-of-the-art equipment and services that are not available elsewhere in Quebec or in Canada.

“Organic production is meeting the growing demand by Quebec consumers for healthy foods produced using techniques that have a minimal environmental impact and are as natural as possible. The new infrastructure will support the organic agriculture industry by accelerating the discovery and application of solutions that meet the needs of farmers and Quebec companies working in this sector,” added Minister Gendron.

The Platform will benefit companies certified in organic production, as well as those in the process of converting to organic production. The results of the research will also be of use to producers practicing sustainable agriculture.

The IRDA is a non-profit research organization formed in 1998 by the Government of Quebec and the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA).

The IRDA’s mission is to carry out agri-environmental R&D and knowledge transfer to encourage innovation in agriculture with a view to sustainable development. Each year, the Institute carries out some 100 research projects in partnership with various stakeholders in the fields of agriculture and research.

Financial package

The financial contribution of the partners involved in this project is $13,132.343. The Government of Quebec is contributing approximately 80%. The MESRST is thus providing $8,372,109 under the Research Assistance Program’s “Support for Research Infrastructure Funding” component. MAPAQ is investing $1,200,000, and $2,170,000 will come from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Flexibility Fund. The financial package is completed by the IRDA itself, as well as the Fondation de la faune du Québec.

About the Politique nationale de la recherche et de l'innovation

The MESRST is currently developing the next Politique nationale de la recherche et de l'innovation (PNRI). The policy will be the product of numerous consultations with stakeholders from all sectors involved in R&D: companies, educational institutions, government and society. The PNRI will address the common goal of advancing Quebec on the world stage of knowledge. The policy will reflect the views of an open society that cares about its future and is expected to be tabled in June.

For more information on the programs and services of the Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (available in french only), visit the website at www.mesrst.gouv.qc.ca.

Sources
Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Agriculture)
Tel.: 613-773-1107

Joël Bouchard
Press Attaché
Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur,
de la Recherche, de la Science
et de la Technologie
Tel.: 418-266-1166

Maxime Couture
Press Attaché
Cabinet du ministre de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries
et de l’Alimentation
Tel.: 418-380-2525

Information
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel.: 613-773-7972 / 1-866-345-7972

Nancy-Sonia Trudelle
Media Relations Officer
Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur,
de la Recherche, de la Science
et de la Technologie
Tel.: 418-646-4508,ext. 3650

Canada and Saskatchewan Invest In Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program

2013-05-03T00:00:00-04:00

Support for long-term water infrastructure to benefit producers and grow the industry

Regina, Saskatchewan, May 3, 2013 - Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced $65 million over five years for the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP).

“Our Government is focused on helping create jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity for Saskatchewan’s hard-working producers. I am pleased that Saskatchewan producers will continue to have access to this program as another tool in their toolbox to help build their operations and our overall economy,” said Minister Ritz. “Building farm and ranch water infrastructure is an important way to increase producer profitability and secure a safe future for provincial water supplies and our producers’ livelihoods.”

“Establishing a secure source of water is crucial to the long-term success and livelihood of Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers,” Stewart said. “This investment in long-term water infrastructure such as wells, dugouts, pipelines and irrigation infill, is essential to the future growth of Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry and our economy.”

FRWIP, which was first introduced in 2008, helps farmers, ranchers, First Nation bands, rural municipalities and irrigation districts develop long-term, reliable sources of water and the related infrastructure necessary to support their agriculture businesses.

Since 2008, more than $49 million in federal-provincial funding has been invested through FRWIP to help establish nearly 5,500 wells, dugouts and pipelines. In addition since 2007, the federal and provincial governments have provided $20 million for infill funding which has increased irrigation capacity by nearly 12,000 acres.

The program has now been enhanced to include a new component for Agricultural Business Development for intensive livestock and horticultural operations. As well, value-added agricultural businesses and non-district irrigators are now also eligible for funding.

“SARM appreciates the continuation of this investment in rural Saskatchewan,” SARM President David Marit said. “We look forward to the development of many more community wells, on-farm wells and dugouts that will ensure a reliable source of water for the agriculture industry for years to come.”

“FRWIP has been a valuable program for livestock producers in Saskatchewan,” Saskatchewan Stock Growers President Harold Martens said. “Many wells, dugouts and pipelines have been developed and we thank the federal and provincial governments for continuing this program.”

“We appreciate the long term commitment to develop more irrigated acres in Saskatchewan,” Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association Chair Roger Pederson said. “Irrigation not only adds value to farmers and ranchers bottom lines but it also contributes to the provincial economy as a whole.”

Funding for the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program is provided under the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 framework. For more information, visit the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GrowingForward2.

For more information, contact:

Cory Kolt
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: cory.kolt@gov.sk.ca

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Phone: 1-866-345-7972

Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Phone: 613-773-1059