Minister attending agriculture ministers� meeting in Ottawa

Rick Woodford, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, is in Ottawa today attending a federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers� meeting that will focus on ongoing efforts to develop a new national Agricultural Policy Framework and the progress made to date.

Minister Woodford said he is pleased to participate in the two-day meeting and discuss important issues surrounding a new Agricultural Policy Framework and the five key elements that have already been agreed to in principle by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. The five components are: food safety and food quality, environment, renewal, science and innovation, and business risk management. Discussion will also focus on the outcome of the first round of stakeholder consultations on the proposed Agricultural Policy Framework that was held recently across the country.

Mr. Woodford said he is optimistic that the meetings will be productive and bring the provinces and territories one step closer to signing an Agricultural Policy Framework umbrella agreement at the annual federal-provincial-territorial ministers� meeting in June in Halifax.

"Agriculture is a key economic generator in our province and government is committed to working diligently with all provinces and territories to ensure the development of a new national agreement that will strengthen the Canadian agriculture industry, but most importantly, an agreement that will allow our province�s agriculture sector to continue to move forward and reach its full potential."

The new Agricultural Policy Framework is expected to be in place April 2003, which will replace the current federal-provincial-territorial Safety Nets Agreement.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications (709) 729-6183.

2002 05 06                         9:45 a.m.