Ville-Marie, Quebec, October 12, 2006 The
Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn,
Minister of Labour and Minister of
Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of
$3.9 million in funding to the Université du Québec en
Abitibi-Témiscamingue to pursue the Buf en'Or research
project.
This financial assistance from the Government of Canada will be used to
ensure the knowledge obtained during Phase 1 of the project is transferred to
cattle producers and to implement a marketing strategy for a new type of beef
not currently available on the market.
"I would like to applaud the university and Dr. Carole Lafrenière
for the innovative work they have undertaken for the benefit of the region's
communities," said Minister Blackburn. This second phase of this research
project alone will be responsible for maintaining 13 jobs for researchers,
professionals, technicians and farm workers, as well as for creating an
additional 19 new jobs in these areas. "In the end, agricultural
enterprises in Abitibi-Témiscamingue will be able to market a value-added
product that will allow them to considerably increase their sales and
consolidate their jobs in the region," added Minister Blackburn.
The research conducted over the past more than two years has led to the
development of a specifications manual for the production of natural,
hormone-free, antibiotic-free and mainly fodder-fed calves. The veal produced is
therefore more tender and lower in fat, meeting the increasingly sophisticated
consumer demand for such products. Phase 2 of the project involves
introducing 2,000 of these heads of cattle to the market, with a 15% to 20%
higher market value, over the next five years.
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Sources:François BélisleCommunicationsCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 1-800-567-6451, ext. 235 francois.belisle@dec-ced.gc.caRoxane
MarchandPress SecretaryOffice of the Honourable
Jean-Pierre BlackburnCanada Economic
DevelopmentTel.: 819-953-5646Cell.: 613-816-5094roxane.marchand@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
