Notice to media

CANADIANS GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD POLICY

OTTAWA, Ontario, March 2, 2007 - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and provincial and territorial governments want to hear from as many Canadians and agriculture industry stakeholders as possible during public consultations on the next generation of agriculture and agri-food policy, a framework which will help to ensure a competitive and profitable agriculture sector for years to come.

Launched on January 22, 2007, public consultations as well as an online consultation have heard from over 2000 interested Canadians, many of them producers as well as representatives from industry associations. Over 30 public consultations were held and now two additional sessions have been added, one in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan, providing even more Canadians with the opportunity to provide input and advice on how to best ensure a competitive and profitable agriculture sector for years to come.

In Ontario, an additional full-day public consultation on the next generation of agriculture and agri-food policy will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (local time) in the following location:

Location:
Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex
200 Fiddle Park Lane (off of Owen Sound Street)
Shelburne, Ontario

Date:
Monday, March 5

Members of the public can register by visiting www.agr.gc.ca/nextgen
Email: agrconsultations@agr.gc.ca
Call: 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105

Also in light of hearing from more Canadians, the online consultation held via the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website (www.agr.gc.ca/nextgen) has also been extended through to March 18. The consultation documents are available on the website as well.

For more information:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

Margaret Boyd
Senior Regional Communications Advisor
AAFC Ontario
Office: 519-837-5842
Cell: 519-831-3550