Canada and British Columbia Fund Agrifood Innovation and Sustainability

News Release

December 12, 2014 - Victoria, British Columbia - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have invested more than $4.3 million to support business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability in B.C.'s agriculture sector, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick announced today.

The projects received funding between January 1 and June 31, 2014, under the Growing Forward 2 Agreement and include farming and food processing organizations, post-secondary institutions, and private businesses.

Growing Forward 2 is a five-year agreement launched in 2013 that provides a $3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development.

Quick facts

The BC Agricultural Research & Development Corporation received $1.7 million to help B.C. farmers adopt sustainable farm practices, ensure food safety standards are being met, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and to deliver animal welfare training and awareness.
The Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. received more than $855,000 to deliver programs that lead to the development and adoption of innovative products, processes and technology in B.C., and support the growth of exports from B.C.'s agrifood sector.
Other projects funded market and scientific research, the development of guides and tools for farmers, animal health and invasive species surveillance, and strategic business services.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to continue to make strategic investments such as these to increase profitability and competitiveness in Canada's agriculture sector. The work being accomplished through Growing Forward 2 will enable research and development and enhance production and export capacities to grow a bright future for Canadian businesses.:
- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"These projects help support the environmental sustainability of B.C. farmers through climate change adaption and Environmental Farm Plan programs, and economically through projects supporting sector research, market development and new technology. These factors all contribute to B.C.'s modern and diverse agrifoods industry, the 60,000 people it employs, and the food security it brings to our province."
- B.C. Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick

"We're pleased to be working together with government and all stakeholders to continually advance agriculture in British Columbia. The programs and services delivered through ARDCorp support B.C. farmers and ranchers adopting new farming practices in environmental sustainability and food safety to keep B.C. grown and raised foods safe, sustainable and competitive."
- ARDCorp Chair, Allen James

Additional links

Related products

Backgrounder: Growing Forward 2 provides funds to British Columbia Agriculture

Contacts

Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-7098
250-889-5945 (cell)

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Jaclyn Laic
Senior Program Manager, ARDCorp
604-854-4483

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

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Canada and British Columbia Fund Agrifood Innovation and Sustainability

News Release

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