News release
CANADIAN FARM BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN NOVA SCOTIA
OTTAWA, Oct. 9, 2003 - Nova Scotia farmers can now access the Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services (CFBAS) program, a business planning service.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief and Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Chris d'Entremont announced the service today as a follow up to the signing of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) implementation agreement September 9.
"The CFBAS is a national program that will be available in provinces as implementation agreements are signed," said Mr. Vanclief. "The agreement signed with Nova Scotia opens doors to new business opportunities for the province's farmers who are eager to carve a greater place for themselves in the agricultural economy."
"Through the APF, the primary emphasis of Renewal programming in Nova Scotia is on capturing new opportunities for the agricultural industry", said Mr. d'Entremont. "Ensuring that our farmers have access to a full range of business advisory services is an important component of our renewal strategy."
The services now available consist of an initial consultation and a farm business assessment and action plan. As part of these services producers will receive up to five-days' worth of consultation for a nominal fee.
As a pre-assessment, producers can evaluate their financial situation using an electronic benchmark tool available at www.agr.gc.ca/compare. Later this fall, specialized business planning services, and a planning and assessment for value-added enterprises program will also be available.
"The Renewal element of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) recognizes agriculture has become more knowledge intensive and increasingly attentive to the environment, and consumer concerns about food safety and quality," said Mr. Vanclief. "The CFBAS addresses the needs of individual producers facing these management challenges and opportunities. Through the advisory services the sector will become stronger, more competitive and more profitable in markets at home and abroad."
All farmers with gross annual farm sales of at least $10,000 and beginning farmers may use the CFBAS program. Farmers using the program may select their specialists from a list of qualified consultants. Under the terms of the APF cost-sharing agreement, the federal government will provide up to $1.63 million in Nova Scotia over five years to help cover the costs of the CFBAS.
Application forms and information on the Canadian Farm Business Advisory Services and other renewal initiatives available in Nova Scotia can be obtained by calling 1-866-844-4276 or contacting regional provincial agriculture offices.
The Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, and sectorial stakeholders are working together to implement the APF, a 21st-century plan to strengthen Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry.
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, please consult the Web site www.agr.gc.ca/renewal. For more information on the APF, please consult the Web site www.agr.gc.ca or call 1-800 O Canada (622-6232).
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For more information contact:
| Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa (613) 759-7972 |
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Lenore Bromley Agriculture and Fisheries Halifax (902) 424-8963 |
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