Ministers Launch New Generation of Programs for Nova Scotia Farmers

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Ministers Launch New Generation of Programs for Nova Scotia Farmers

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont and Agri- Food Minister Lyle Vanclief have signed an agreement finalizing how the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) will be delivered in Nova Scotia. The agreement will provide $12.6 million over five years for new programs in the areas of food safety and quality, the environment, renewal and science and innovation.

Business risk management programs, designed to help producers manage and protect income, will be funded based on demand with dollars over and above the $12.6 million. The two governments will also supply an additional $7.6 million over three years to support the transition from existing programs to the new set of programs. All funding is cost-shared based on a 60/40 federal- provincial ratio.

"The agriculture industry constantly faces a number of challenges," said Mr. D'Entremont. "This program will address many of these challenges and provide a framework to build on innovation and increase the province's competitive position."

"This agreement provides stable funding for Nova Scotia farmers and will help them prepare for the future," said Mr. Vanclief. "The APF is the first long-term, comprehensive strategy for agriculture in Canada and its planning and design has been a long road. We have now reached the point where we can see the APF in action."

Full details on APF programs in Nova Scotia will be announced in coming months. The implementation agreement signed today, Sept. 9, sets out general rules and guidelines for how these new programs will be delivered and officially allocates federal and provincial funds to APF programs. The funding breaks down as follows: -- $5.6 million for environmental farm planning programs; -- $2 million for food safety and quality programs; -- $4.2 million for renewal programs to support producers in areas such as business management and to help new farmers enter the field; -- $750,000 for science and innovation programs to help with issues like human resources and strategic planning for research work; and -- funding for business risk management programs -- the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization Program (CAISP) and production insurance -- will be based on demand.

The APF is designed to help make Canada's agriculture and agri- food industry the supplier of choice at home and abroad. It will help Canadian agriculture maximize new opportunities internationally by safeguarding and enhancing the food safety and quality system in Canada through science and environmentally sound agricultural practices.

In keeping with this, federal and provincial governments are also delivering on an APF international strategy, which includes increased marketing efforts in target areas.