For Release
November 23, 2007
Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Canadian International
Grain Institute (CIGI) will establish an advanced pilot cereal testing,
training and demonstration centre with over $499,000 in funding through
the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Manitoba Agriculture,
Food and Rural Initiatives is also providing $103,700 towards the project
through the Food Development Centre.
“The Government of Canada is working in partnership with other
orders of government and industry to bring real and lasting benefits throughout
Manitoba and across the West,” said James Bezan, Member of Parliament
for Selkirk-Interlake on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President
of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “This
joint investment will help CIGI and industry stakeholders establish an
advanced testing, training and demonstration centre to ensure that the
Canadian field crop and value-added food producers remain competitive
and better able to pursue new export markets.”
"The funding announced today will assist with Manitoba's ability
to sustain its competitive edge in agri-business markets,” said
Jim Rondeau, Manitoba Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade.
“CIGI’s demonstration centre will play an invaluable role
in helping evaluate and adapting new technologies, information and equipment
that can increase profitability for Manitoba farmers."
Through the acquisition of new state-of-the-art equipment, this project
will enable CIGI to expand its capabilities for crop and new food product
development. The equipment will meet or exceed current domestic and international
competitive testing and manufacturing standards and practices.
CIGI is a not-for-profit research and education organization established
in 1972. Its vision is to provide world-class promotion of Canada’s
field crops and their products.
“CIGI appreciates the level of support for this project from the
federal and provincial governments,” said Barry Senft, CIGI Executive
Director. “This is truly an example of the importance both levels
of government have given to ensuring that CIGI has the relevant technology
in the promotion of Canadian field crops.”
The agriculture grain and value-added food processing sectors are important
to the Manitoba and Canadian economies, especially with regard to export
sales. International standards and processing requirements in these industries
have been evolving. This project will ensure CIGI and industry stakeholders
can clearly demonstrate their competitive advantage. It will allow them
to strategically compete in the international marketplace while being
innovative and adaptive to meet the ever-changing consumer demands and
market conditions.
Planned equipment acquisition, funded through the EPA, includes such
items as a Near Infrared Analyzer (for rapid chemical qualifications),
Lab Scale Cold and Cooking Extruders (allowing CIGI to obtain technical
information on functional food ingredients, aquaculture, pet foods and
the cereal segments of the market), and a C-Cell Image Analysis System
(for gauging the internal structure of bread products). The Manitoba Agriculture,
Food and Rural Initiatives funding will support the acquisition of equipment
for the Advance Asian Product testing Laboratory portion of the project.
Under the Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement, the governments
of Canada and Manitoba are working together and in partnership with community
stakeholders to build the economy and strengthen communities. These priorities
promote economic growth and diversification in the province. For more
information on this and other projects funded under EPA, visit: http://www.epa.gov.mb.ca.
For additional information, contact:
Terri Hooper
Communications Coordinator
Canada-Manitoba Economic Partnership Agreement
(204) 945-7805
David Meister
Senior Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(204) 983-0789
Joe Czech
Communications Coordinator
Communication Services Manitoba
(204) 945-6778
www.gov.mb.ca
