News release
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN GREENCOVER INITIATIVE, DROUGHT MITIGATION MEASURES
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REGINA, Saskatchewan, July 12, 2002 - The Government of Canada today announced $190 million of investments to improve environmental sustainability in farm operations and help farmers deal with drought.
On behalf of Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, announced a $110-million Greencover initiative to enhance sustainable land use through the planting and management of forage and trees. Mr. Goodale also announced $80 million in initiatives and measures to help producers mitigate drought.
"This substantial investment is a clear demonstration of the Government of Canada's support for the agriculture and agri-food sector and the environment," said Mr. Goodale. "To ensure environmental sustainability of agricultural land, and to help our farmers mitigate the effects of drought, we need tools that allow the best possible utilization of our soil and water resources."
The Greencover initiative will assist farmers in converting economically marginal farmland to alternative uses and improve the management of forage, rangeland and critical habitat areas. It would also assist farmers in planting shelterbelts - rows of trees on agricultural lands - to meet environmental objectives regarding climate change, biodiversity, and land management.
The drought initiative is comprised of several measures:
- $60 million for water supply expansion programs to reduce the risk of future water shortages through planning and development of secure water resources;
- $20 million for the acceleration of a National Land and Water Information Service to provide information, analysis and interpretation of land and water data required by farmers, industry and governments to make improved agricultural land and water management decisions;
- Early tax deferrals to assist producers in designated regions who are forced to sell all or part of their livestock breeding herd in 2002 due to drought conditions, and;
- Increased administrative flexibility to further assist producers carrying Crop Insurance (CI). When provinces request administrative changes to CI, the federal government will consider all options to ensure producers have access to protection, that damaged crops can be used for feed, and payments are made quickly.
"As evidenced by the severe drought in many parts of Canada in the last two years there are many risks to farm income," said Mr. Goodale. "This funding, together with the new federal money for direct assistance announced on June 20, and existing programs such as Crop Insurance, will allow producers to address short-term pressures such as drought and improve their capacity to cope with drought over the long term."
On June 20, 2002, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Mr. Vanclief announced the Government of Canada's $5.2-billion plan to strengthen Canadian agriculture by making Canada the world leader in food safety and quality, environmentally responsible production and innovation. The investment includes:
- $3.4 billion over five years to implement the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) - a federal-provincial-territorial plan to help industry adapt to rapid advances in technology, compete in an increasingly complex global food market and respond to changing consumer demands;
- $1.2 billion over two years in direct assistance to help farmers deal with short-term pressures such as drought; and,
- $589.5 million beginning this year, to accelerate the APF, which focuses on five integrated elements: food safety and quality, environmentally responsible production, science and innovation, renewal, and business risk management.
"The Government of Canada's strategic plan for agriculture is about giving Canadian farmers a comprehensive tool kit to move this sector from crisis management to a more profitable future," said Mr. Vanclief. "The measures Mr. Goodale announced today are an important part of that tool kit and will lead to increased prosperity and profitability in the 21st century for the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector."
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For more information, media may contact:
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Pat Breton Press Secretary Minister Goodale's Office (819) 997-5421 |
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Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa (613) 759-7972 |
For electronic updates on the Agricultural Policy Framework, please subscribe to the APF Listserv by sending an e-mail to: APF-INFO-CSA-subscribe-request@www.agr.ca.
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