NOTE TO EDITORS: Annual Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture

Ottawa - Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, will be co-chairing, with Newfoundland and Labrador acting Natural Resources Minister John Ottenheimer, the annual conference of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture in St. John's, on June 26 and 27.

Ministers will discuss ways of addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the sector and will focus on new opportunities for agriculture and agri-food in Canada. They will be available to speak to media following their meeting.

EVENT: Media availability with Minister Strahl, Minister Ottenheimer and other agriculture ministers

DATE: Tuesday, June 27

TIME: 11:00 -11:30 a.m. (local time)

LOCATION: Fairmont Hotel Newfoundland, 115 Cavendish Square, St. John's

Media representatives who wish to attend by teleconference can call 1-800-814-4859 (English participants) or 1-800-814-4853 (French participants).

*Please note the time is subject to change. Media representatives registered in advance with AAFC Media Relations will be notified of potential time changes.

For more information:

Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, (613)759-7972, 1-866-345-7972
Conrad Bellehumeur, Director of Communications, Minister Strahl's Office, (613) 759-1059
Tracy Barron, Director of Communications, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, (709)729-5282, 690-1703

2006 06 23                             3:00 p.m.