Province to host Atlantic Farm Challenges Conference, November 18-20

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today the Atlantic Farm Challenges Conference will be held at the Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook from November 18 to 20. The theme for this year�s conference is Tomorrow�s Farms - Challenges and Rewards.

Minister Byrne is pleased this province is hosting the conference this year. The conference is held every two years in one of the Atlantic provinces and is being funded in part through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Agriculture Policy Framework Implementation Agreement. It is anticipated that approximately 150 participants from the Atlantic region will be in Corner Brook to take part in the conference.

Minister Byrne is confident the conference will be very beneficial to farmers as they move forward to broaden their operations and create further growth in the agrifoods sector.

"The family farm continues to be an integral component of the agrifoods industry. It is important that forums, such as this, are organized to provide farmers with updated information and fresh perspectives about new developments in the agriculture sector," said Minister Byrne. "Several presentations and discussions have been planned to address important subjects such as food safety and quality, business risk management and the environment."

The conference will also explore the future role of the family farm, who will be the key managers, and what challenges and rewards can be anticipated. Participants will be able to avail of information through a variety of means including several guest speakers, a farmers panel and group discussions. The conference will also examine how to encourage younger skilled people to enter the industry to address anticipated vacancies resulting from retiring farmers over the next few years.

Speakers scheduled to appear at the conference include Bill Barry, Barry Group of Companies; Dr. John Fast, University of Waterloo; Dr. Gord Surgeoner, University of Guelph; farmers from the Atlantic Provinces and Federation of Agriculture representatives from each of the Atlantic Provinces.

Minister Byrne will officially open the conference at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 18, at the Glynmill Inn.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282 or (709) 685-4624

2004 11 17                      1:10 p.m.