Celebrating the Agriculture and Food Sector

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Celebrating the Agriculture and Food Sector

Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, joined Nova Scotia farm leaders today in launching the second annual Canadian Agriculture and Food Celebration.

The aim of the month-long national promotional campaign is to raise public awareness of the importance of agriculture and food industry, from the jobs and economic growth it generates to its world-class reputation for providing safe, high-quality food.

The agriculture sector in Nova Scotia generates an estimated $400 million in farm cash receipts each year and employees about 16,000 people.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our rural communities and benefits all Nova Scotians through its contribution to the provincial economy and the high quality food that is produced," said Mr. Fage. "All of us have a role to play in supporting agriculture and asking for, and buying, local products. When agriculture does well in Nova Scotia, so do Nova Scotians."

Federal, provincial and territorial governments and industry partners have developed activities and events across the country to raise awareness of the sector. In Nova Scotia, activities will be spearheaded by the Nova Scotia Agriculture Awareness Committee.

The committee is made up of representatives from farm and rural organizations, agri-business and the federal and provincial governments. It strives to increase public awareness of the scope and value of the agricultural industry.

"We are looking forward to talking to the public about what we do and letting them know our industry is more than the sum of the headlines they might have seen," said committee chair Geneve Newcombe. "As an industry and as individual farmers and processors, we are committed to food safety, good value and the environment. They remain the keys to our future competitiveness."

A highlight of the month will be the annual Ag Cot Discovery Centre - an interactive agriculture exhibit where the public can see, touch and learn about livestock, crops and the diverse foods produced in Nova Scotia - at the Maritime Fall Fair at Exhibition Park, Halifax, Oct. 13-15.

For more information on the Canadian Agriculture and Food Celebration, please visit the website at http://agri.gov.ns.ca or www.agr.ca .