Government Invests in Canada's First National Bioeconomy Strategy to Help Grow a Clean Economy

OTTAWA, May 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced today an investment of up to $200,000 to Bioindustrial Innovation Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program. This funding was used to build the first national bioeconomy strategy to help meet the goal of reducing CO₂ emissions, reduce greenhouse gases and attract additional markets in the biomass and bioproduct sector.

The project will allow Canadian farmers with opportunities to diversify their commodities into new markets and develop new uses for crops. This new strategy will also provide a great opportunity to work with other sectors, including forestry to help meet Canada's agriculture growth plans for a greener economy. 

Quotes

"Investment in our bioeconomy demonstrates the government's commitment to building a strong, renewables-based economy.  Having a strategy in place will provide new opportunities for farmers, strengthen and diversify the agricultural sector and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy."
-       Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The industry-supported Bioeconomy Strategy will establish clear roles for government to provide the regulatory operating environment and infrastructure necessary to the adoption of biobased processes and products. The agricultural and forestry industries and the communities and the ecosystems that support them will ensure greater commercialization of the processes and products. The focus on renewable resources and on innovation in the bioeconomy are central to the achievement of the circular economy."
-       A.J. (Sandy) Marshall, Executive Director, Bioindustrial Innovation Canada

Quick facts

• Bioproducts are renewable products other than food and feed that are derived from agricultural, aquatic or forestry resources, or municipal wastes. They include: biochemicals, biofuels, bioenergy and biomaterials.
• The Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program was replaced by the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program (CASPP). The CASPP focuses on four priority areas: adoption of new technology; environmental sustainability; strategic development and capacity building; and, emerging issues.
• Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC) is a not-for-profit business accelerator based in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. BIC is focused on enabling Ontario and Canada to become a global leader in converting renewable resources, such as agricultural and forestry by-products and residues, into value-added bioenergy, biofuel, biochemical and biomaterials for use in a wide range of commercial applications along the chemistry value chain to advanced manufacturing (autos and aerospace).

Associated Links

• BioIndustrial Innovation Canada
• Canada's Bioeconomy Strategy: Leveraging our Strengths for a Sustainable Future
• Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Justine Lesage, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, [email protected], Mobile: [phone]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.agr.gc.ca/