Minister MacAulay Concludes Second "Growing Canadian Agriculture" Tour

OTTAWA, Sept. 26, 2018 /CNW/ - The agriculture and agri-food sector is vital to Canada's economy, providing high-quality, nutritious and safe food for Canadians and people around the world and creating good, middle-class jobs. Canada's agriculture and agri-food system contributes over $110 billion of our gross domestic product, and last year our agriculture, food and seafood exports hit an all-time record of $64.6 billion. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the sector remains an engine of growth for our economy.

In August, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, embarked on the second "Growing Canadian Agriculture" tour, which concluded on Friday in Southwestern Ontario. During the tour the Minister travelled to many parts of the country to meet with farmers, processors, and industry leaders, and participated in rural agricultural events.

Several strategic federal agricultural investments were highlighted during the tour, which will help keep the sector on the cutting edge. Since the launch of the first tour, Minister MacAulay has announced over $70 million in new agricultural research clusters under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to key areas of the sector, including organic, canola, pulse, agronomy, beef, pork and grape and wine.

During the second part of the tour, Minister MacAulay also announced the details of the Government of Canada's $70M investment to address significant environmental challenges and hire approximately 75 scientists and science professionals in emerging fields of agricultural science. Other key investments to support growth and innovation in the dairy, livestock and hemp sectors, as well as securing of market access for British Columbia fresh cherries to Japan were announced.

Together, these investments and activities will help build an even stronger and more innovative sector for Canada.

Quote

"Our Government is proud to support the Canadian farmers and food processors across the country who work hard every day to put safe, high-quality food on our tables, while driving our economy and creating good, middle-class jobs. It was a pleasure to talk with so many producers and processors on my tour this summer and see their dedication and commitment to securing Canada's position as a top global agricultural producer. I would like to thank them on behalf of all Canadians – together, let's keep 'Growing Canadian Agriculture'!"
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to grow the agriculture and agri-food sector.
• Under the Partnership, AgriScience Clusters support industry-led and commodity-specific science and research projects that address priority themes and horizontal issues, and coordinate research activities across Canada.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Dairy Processing Investment Fund provides funding to dairy processors for investments that will improve productivity and competitiveness. To date, 14 dairy processors have been approved for funding support under the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, valued at over $20 million, in a wide array of projects from small investments in cheese, milk drying, yogurt, cream and butter projects.
• The Government of Canada's $70M investment in research and development was outlined in Budget 2017 to further support agricultural discovery science and innovation, with a focus on climate change and soil and water conservation.

Associated Links

• Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
• Government of Canada makes transformative $70 million investment in agricultural science
• The Government of Canada invests in innovation to support the growth of the pulse sector
• Growing the Canadian Hemp Sector Through Investment and Cannabis Legislation
• Government of Canada invests over $12 million to advance innovation and sustainability in Canada's canola sector
• Enabling Prince Edward Island cheesemaker to expand product line and grow markets
• Government of Canada Secures Market Access for all British Columbia Fresh Cherry Varieties to Japan
• Minister MacAulay announces more than $8 million to help strengthen and grow Canada's organic sector
• Governments Invest in Beef and Forage Research to Support Growth in Manitoba's Livestock Sector

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For further information: Katie Hawkins, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059, [email protected]; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca