New Generation of Agriculture Programming Launched

Details related to programs for Newfoundland and Labrador farmers under the Growing Forward agreement � the new generation of federal, provincial and territorial cost-shared agriculture programming in Canada � were announced today by the Honourable Gerry Ritz, federal Minister of Agriculture, and the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, provincial Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency.

�Farmers expect all levels of government to work together to drive Canadian agriculture and this agreement is making that happen,� said Minister Ritz. �Growing Forward delivers stable and bankable programs that work for farmers and that are based on consultations directly with industry. Today we are rolling out these essential programs in Newfoundland and Labrador.�

�The federal/provincial programming available through the five-year Growing Forward agreement is designed to respond to the needs of producers and continue to build on an industry that is an important contributor to our provincial economy and rural areas of the province,� said Minister Dunderdale. �The nearly $30 million being made available to industry will provide employment and spin-off benefits for supply sectors.�

Growing Forward is a national agriculture framework to co-ordinate federal and provincial agriculture policy. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this agreement will see the Provincial Government invest $11.83 million and the Federal Government invest $17.75 million.

Growing Forward programs are tailored with the flexibility to meet Newfoundland and Labrador�s diverse regional requirements. Officials with the federal and provincial governments have worked with farmers to develop the Growing Forward framework.

�In Budget 2009, our government reiterated its commitment to agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Minister Dunderdale. �Government�s investment in Growing Forward programming will continue to build a profitable and competitive agriculture and agrifoods industry. It will be invested in initiatives that will support innovation and competitiveness; enable farm businesses to better manage risk, and enhance environmental stewardship and food safety in the sector.�

For a complete list of Growing Forward programs in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit www.nr.gov.nl.ca/agric/ or www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward.

This announcement follows the signing of the Growing Forward bilateral and contribution agreements by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador on March 31, 2009.

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2009 06 24                          2:00 p.m.