October 31, 1997
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister announces new Agrifoods web site and initiation of an Agricultural Awareness Campaign

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, is pleased to announce that the Agrifoods Web site is now operational. The site can be reached at "www.gov.nl.ca//www.gov.nl.ca/agric/".

"This World Wide Web site is the first comprehensive web site for a resource based department," announced Mr. Aylward. "Farmers and the general public can access valuable information on the livestock, crops, soils and land use activities from their own home. The site also contains information on marketing, statistics, agri-business management and outlines all the programs and services offered by the Agrifoods Branch, as well as a phone directory for branch staff. The web site will empower people to access information designed to increase the viability and competitiveness of the industry."

This initiative was a joint project of the provincial government and the federal Canada/Newfoundland Farm Business Management Program. Schools, farm organizations, media and other interested groups will find they will be able to access historically and current statistically information on the industry. Farm managers will be able to access information on issues, such as RRSPs, pesticide safety, livestock and crop production. For the commercial farmer, the site will prove particularly useful as they will be able to e-mail enquires to the staff at the Agrifoods Branch directly at any time. No longer will the limitations of the 9 to 5 working day apply.

This is the first step of a comprehensive five year information management plan for the Agrifoods industry, other initiatives will include full electronic communications with regional offices and the development of an Intranet and Extranet.

Mr. Aylward was also pleased to announce today the initiation of an Agriculture Awareness Campaign for Newfoundland and Labrador. This is campaign part of an overall strategy to foster growth in the agriculture sector. A contract was signed this month with M5 Advertising Limited to develop the campaign in conjunction with the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, the Federation of Agriculture and other agriculture organizations.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are generally unaware of the extent of products produced locally. Is it well-known that Newfoundland and Labrador products are now successfully marketed in all of Canada, the United States, Japan, Denmark, Ireland, Russia, South Korea, Norway, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, and many other regions throughout the world?

"In order to stimulate growth in this developing industry," said Mr. Aylward, "we must aggressively promote agriculture and agrifoods in this province. The focus of our promotion will be the implementation of a strategic advertising campaign designed to increase awareness of the industry to consumers, the business community and the general public."

The objective of this campaign is to create a platform for long-term future agricultural awareness marketing and promotional efforts by government and industry. This campaign should ultimately stimulate more interest for investment and growth in the industry and lead to increased sales of primary and value-added agriculture and agri-food products. The campaign will foster partnerships with key industry and other stakeholders for implementation.

The agriculture and agri-food industry in Newfoundland and Labrador is an important part of our economy and rural development. In 1995, the primary sector generated over $64 million in revenue at the farm gate and well over $300 million in value-added agri-food products.

Contact: Anna Buffinga, Communications, (709) 729-3217.