Boosting Agri-Food Profitability and Innovation
April 1, 2009 3:42 PM
Canada and Ontario Sign Growing Forward Agreement
Ontario's agri-food sector will be more innovative, responsive and profitable as a result of a five-year, up to $300-million investment by Ontario and the Government of Canada under Growing Forward. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, today announced new Growing Forward programs for the sector. The federal-provincial agreement outlining details of the program in Ontario has been signed.
Industry participants were consulted extensively on which programs should be available under the Growing Forward initiative in Ontario. As a result, programming focuses on two areas: Best Practices and Innovation and Science. Best Practices helps improve performance in four key areas: environment and climate change; food safety and traceability; business development; and biosecurity. Innovation and science programs will encourage and support ongoing research and the commercialization of research.
QUICK FACTS
- The federal, provincial and territorial governments signed the Growing Forward Framework agreement on July 11, 2008 in Quebec City. The agreement commits $1.3 billion in government funding over five years for non-business risk management (non-BRM) cost-shared programs across the country.
- Growing Forward replaces the Agricultural Policy Framework and runs until March 31, 2013.
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CONTACTS
- Meagan Murdoch
Minister Gerry Ritz's Office
613-759-1059
ontario.ca/agriculture
"I am very proud we have reached an agreement with Ontario. For Ontario producers, this is truly a momentous occasion. Growing Forward programs will deliver real results for farmers and their families and place greater emphasis on profitability and innovation."
– Gerry Ritz
Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Growing Forward reflects the needs of our agri-food industry. It puts emphasis on building a profitable sector through investment in innovation, a flexible approach to meet individual business needs and more partnerships with industry."
– Leona Dombrowsky
Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
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