News release
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR FIRST PROVINCE TO SIGN APF IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT
OTTAWA, May 12, 2003 - Newfoundland and Labrador has become the first province to sign an agreement with the Government of Canada to begin implementation of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Rick Woodford and Gerry Byrne, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency) announced the agreement today calling it a "momentous day" for the province's agriculture and agrifoods industry.
"This is truly an important occasion for producers in this province," Mr. Vanclief said. "We have been working very hard with Newfoundland and Labrador and all our provincial partners to get to this point in the process - implementation of new program features. I am very happy and proud that we have reached an agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador and I am confident we will be signing other implementation agreements with the remaining provinces soon."
Minister Woodford said he was very pleased to sign the implementation agreement with the federal government. He added that it will set the stage for a new and exciting chapter in agriculture enhancement and diversification in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"The provincial government is committed to help strengthen and enhance our agrifoods industry, which is demonstrated in our participation in the five-year Agricultural Policy Framework and partnership with the federal government," said Minister Woodford. "We believe that programming under the new APF, which is valued at more than $32.4 million, will position our industry to capture new growth opportunities and build on its diversification and value-added activity. We are committed to ensuring our agriculture industry reaches its full potential and continues to play a major role in our rural economies."
"This is good news for farmers and the entire agriculture and agrifoods industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Mr. Byrne. "Newfoundland and Labrador has taken a truly important step toward a successful future as the first to sign an APF implementation agreement with the Government of Canada."
Implementation agreements govern the delivery of new programming under the five elements of the APF - business risk management, environment, food safety and quality, renewal and science and innovation. The agreements set out the programming that will be delivered, delivery mechanisms and which level of government that will deliver them. In addition, the agreements list program costs and formalize such things as the management structures needed to oversee particular programs. Minister Woodford said that the implementation agreement will allow Newfoundland and Labrador to move forward in finalizing programming details and specific measures designed to meet the needs of its agriculture industry. He said because the provincial programs will be implemented under the five APF pillars, a cohesive policy approach to agriculture in Canada will be created, while also positioning Newfoundland and Labrador's agriculture industry for a stronger and more prosperous future.
Mervin Wiseman, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, said the federation is very supportive of the new APF and looks forward to the benefits that will result from its implementation.
"The federation has been looking forward to this much anticipated Implementation Agreement. We believe the new agreement will bring a large measure of stability to the industry by providing a strategic approach through the APF's five pillars. The amount of funding contained in the agreement represents a significant milestone for agriculture in Newfoundland and Labrador."
The Ministers agreed that with the implementation framework in place, the Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture industry has taken a major step toward branding its industry as world leaders in food safety and quality, environmentally responsible production and innovative products.
The Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and agrifoods industry employs more 4,000 people and is valued at more than $500 million to the provincial economy.
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For more information, media may contact:
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Donald Boulanger Press Secretary Minister Vanclief's Office Ottawa (613) 759-1761 |
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Sonia B. Glover Director of Communications Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (709) 729-6183 |
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Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa (613) 759-7972 |
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