The following statement was issued today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Federal/Provincial Farm Business Management Agreement

I would like to inform the Honourable Members of the House of Assembly of the signing of the Canada-Newfoundland Farm Business Management Agreement. This agreement will provide approximately $780,000 over three years, 1996 to 1999, for the Farm Business Management Program for Newfoundland and Labrador. This program will help to expand the farm management culture from its previous emphasis on production to include a more business oriented and market responsive approach.

A major focus of this agreement is to sponsor projects which are designed to enhance the ability of farm managers to effectively manage change. As with other provinces across the country, the agricultural industry in Newfoundland and Labrador has changed radically in the past three to five years. By re-identifying the human resource development needs of the industry, the Canada/Newfoundland Farm Business Management Program will ensure that the funding allocations made through this program have the greatest effect and impact in assisting farm managers to grow with these changes.

This program will be used to upgrade the farm management skills of Newfoundland and Labrador's farm businesses, almost all of which are family owned and operated. Through their farm organizations, farmers will be able to initiate projects which use technology for improved information management, or involve the refinement of marketing knowledge and skills, the application of business planning, and the development of farmers' entrepreneurial skills. The Canada/Newfoundland Farm Business Management Program will promote strategies designed to increase the competitiveness of the industry in domestic and international markets.

This partnership program, is equally funded by the federal and provincial governments, and includes the province's ongoing Farm Business Management Program as part of our contribution. This Canada- Newfoundland Farm Business Management Agreement has been signed as part of a renewed national initiative, the Canadian Farm Business Management Program, which has been operating since 1992. However, this new program places more emphasis on encouraging greater integration and coordination of government and industry efforts in areas of farm management skills development and training. The agreement has been refocussed to support activities which will achieve value-added benefits to the agriculture industry. It will provide the opportunity for greater sharing of materials, tools and information among the provinces, as well as the incremental development of tools and information to improve the competitiveness of the sector.

The overall goal of the Canadian Farm Business Management Program is to help farm managers successfully manage their farm businesses through more effective use of farm business management information and skills. Ultimately, this should result in a financially stronger, more market oriented sector and in strengthened individual farm operations.