$6.5 million for new Agriculture Policy Framework

Rick Woodford, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, today announced that Budget 2003 provides $6.5 million in federal-provincial funding for the first year of the new five-year Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) Agreement. The 60:40 cost-shared agreement includes a provincial contribution of $2.6 million for the 2003-04 fiscal year.

"I am extremely pleased to announce this funding for our province�s important agriculture industry. It indeed demonstrates government�s commitment to help strengthen and diversify the Newfoundland and Labrador agrifoods sector," said Minister Woodford. "We are excited about the benefits to be realized with the new Agricultural Policy Framework. The agreement will position our industry to capture growth opportunities and build on its diversification and value-added activity."

The Agricultural Policy Framework Agreement is comprised of five key elements: business risk management, food safety and food quality, environment, renewal, and science and innovation. Minister Woodford said the government is in discussions with the federal government on the final APF programming details, which are expected to be concluded within a few weeks.

The minister pointed out that the agrifoods industry was highlighted during government�s Jobs and Growth consultations as a key area for significant growth opportunities, especially for rural areas of the province. He added that the new funding announced today will see continued industry-government partnerships, which are the cornerstone to enhancing our agriculture industry and creating new economic opportunities for our rural communities.

Minister Woodford said federal-provincial-territorial agreements play a major role in the future success of our province�s agriculture sector, which today employs over 4,000 people and is valued at over $500 million.

The new five-year Agricultural Policy Framework is valued at $32.5 million and will replace the Safety Nets Agreement, which expires March 31, 2003.

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

2003 03 27                                        4:15 p.m.