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FOR RELEASE     #06-089
April 19, 2006

Yukon Supports Agriculture Industry With Modernized Policy

WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon has announced its support of a healthy and growing agriculture industry by releasing the Vision for Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture Policy.

"Yukon's agriculture industry is very important to our communities and our economy," Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Archie Lang said. "The modernized policy supports the growth of Yukon's agriculture industry to become economically viable, environmentally sustainable and a contributor to community well-being."

The Vision for Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture Policy recognizes that the Yukon has considerable potential to grow and provide a greater range of agricultural products to Yukon consumers.

Key components of the policy include:

  • Improved marketing of the Yukon agriculture industry and its products;
  • Support of increased value-added agricultural production and commitment to continue making new land available for agricultural development;
  • A new agricultural land pricing formula, where every dollar of approved development work will offset the land purchase price by a dollar;
  • Expansion of government's role in providing the agriculture industry with extension services including support for the increased growth of organic farming;
  • Commitment to amend the Subdivision Act to support farm succession and increase agricultural land use utilization;
  • Continued cooperation with the Government of Canada to deliver industry development programs and the Agricultural Policy Framework; and,
  • Commitment to advance planning for agricultural land development.

The Yukon government updated and modernized the agriculture policy in consultation with industry, First Nations and affected stakeholders.  The consultation ensures that the changing needs and the future growth of the agriculture industry were addressed.

Copies of Vision for Yukon Agriculture: 2006 Yukon Agriculture Policy are available in Whitehorse at the Agriculture branch, on the third floor of the Elijah Smith building or the main information desk of the Yukon government administration building on 2nd Avenue. The policy is also available at www.emr.gov.yk.ca/agriculture.

For additional information call the Agriculture branch at (867) 667-5838 or toll-free 1-800-661-0408 extension 5838.

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 Contact:  
 Peter Carr  Mark Roberts
 Cabinet Communications  Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
 (867) 667-8688  (867) 667-8786
 peter.carr@gov.yk.ca  mark.roberts@gov.yk.ca