Minister applauds decision to extend CARD funding for agriculture industry

Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford is pleased with the recent decision by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to extend funding under the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) fund to the end of March 2004.

According to Mr. Woodford, the extension in CARD funding will continue to provide the agriculture sector in this province with valuable assistance to pursue meaningful initiatives aimed at improving the industry.

"There has been significant growth in the agrifoods industry in Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years, due to the development of specialty products and niche markets, increased export focus and improved farm management and marketing skills," he said. "Ongoing CARD funds will enable industry in this province to continue to build upon accomplishments made in these areas as well as pursue new initiatives. I encourage those involved in the agrifoods sector to take advantage of the support provided through the CARD fund."

The CARD fund in Newfoundland and Labrador is being administered through the Agri-Adapt Council Inc. The one-year extension of CARD will provide the Council with $358,000 for local projects.

"This is good news for farmers and agri-food producers in this province," said Deborah Guillemette, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture.

Since 1995, CARD has invested $60 million a year to stimulate progressive change in Canada�s agriculture and agri-food industry and help it secure a competitive edge in the changing global marketplace. CARD�s six priorities, determined in consultation with industry, are research and innovation, human resource capacity-building, capturing market opportunities, environmental sustainability, food safety and quality, and rural development.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the fund has provided assistance of over $3.7 million to 75 projects, while leveraging an additional $2 million through industry.

Organizations benefiting from past CARD funds include: the Newfoundland and Labrador Livestock Council, which received assistance to prepare and implement a course to teach pork producers the skills needed for secondary processing of their product; Hammond Farms, which received assistance to obtain new, innovative equipment for evaluation and demonstration purposes that will make the process of feeding and milking cows more efficient; and the Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producers Council, which used the CARD fund to evaluate fresh market sweet corn production in cool summer climates.

Further details about the CARD fund are available by calling (709) 747-4874 or online at www.agr.gc.ca/card-fcadr.

Media contact:
          Craig Renouf, Communications, Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, (709) 637-2923
          Deborah Guillemette, Executive Director, Federation of Agriculture, (709) 747-4874

2003 02 03                                         3:45 p.m.