FEDERAL FUNDING WILL HELP PROMOTE SAFE FARMING PRACTICES

Ottawa, ON, March 24, 2005 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell announced today that the Government of Canada is providing a $5.136 M contribution under the Renewal element of the Agricultural Policy Framework to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) to increase and expand the association's services to Canadian farmers.

"This funding will help the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association improve the health and safety conditions of those that live and/or work on Canadian farms," said Minister Mitchell. "Through CASA, programming, tools, and knowledge will be provided to help farmers upgrade management and technical skills, especially in the areas of farm safety management."

"CASA is the only national organization in Canada specifically mandated to safeguard agricultural safety and rural health," said CASA Chair Glen Blahey. "The funding announced today provides a stable, long-term commitment that will ensure CASA's work will not only continue, but expand and grow for the benefit of the health and safety of agricultural producers and their families."

Farm health and safety are important aspects of the Renewal element of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF), since injuries, fatalities and illnesses impact on farm productivity and profitability, as well as on human resource management. The success of business in the agricultural sector is contingent on the ability of producers to attract and keep highly skilled agricultural workers, and the health and safety of the workplace is critical to this success.

The funding announced today will be used for the Canadian Agricultural Safety and Health Program and the development of a new strategic plan focused on influencing government and industry farm safety policy in Canada. The plan will also aim to foster collaboration among provinces and partners and increase the important message of farm safety, with the fundamental objective of positively impacting farm safety in Canada.

The goal of the Renewal element of the APF is to provide farmers with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to succeed in farming. For more information on Renewal and the APF, please consult Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Web site at www.agr.gc.ca/renewal or call 1 866 452-5558.

For more information on CASA and its services please consult its Web site, www.casa-acsa.ca, or call (204) 452-2272.

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For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa
1-866-345-7972
(613) 759-7972
media@agr.gc.ca

Mr. Marcel Hacault
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association
Winnipeg
(204) 452-2272

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