The Department of Natural Resources will consult with different agriculture industry groups in the province to assist in the development of the next agriculture policy framework agreement in Canada.

These consultations will help identify industry priorities for this province and will complement the federal/provincial/territorial consultations held in St. John�s and Corner Brook in January.

"The priorities identified by industry during these sessions will assist us in negotiating with the federal government the terms of the next generation of agriculture and agrifood programming for the benefit of farmers in this province, specifically in regards to the development needs of the provincial industry," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources. "In consultation with the Industry Advisory Committee, we determined there was a need to provide people involved in these sectors with the opportunity to discuss the issues and concerns unique to this province."

The current Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) expires in March 2008. Since 2003, the APF has provided $33.5 million in support for over 500 projects in this province related to environmental stewardship, on-farm food safety and quality, secondary processing, product development and land development for the vegetable sector.

"We anticipate constructive discussion in these sessions on key issues unique to the industry in the province," Minister Dunderdale said. "This information will enable us to develop and refine policy options tailored to support a competitive and profitable agriculture and agrifood industry in this province."

The establishment of a new framework agreement will allow for the continuation of important research and development projects and provide farmers and producers with the ability to access new technologies and take advantage of new growth opportunities.

The schedule for the consultation sessions is as follows:

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca

2007 04 16                                                       11:25 a.m.