Governments Provide Certainty to Manitoba Producers

April 08, 2008

OTTAWA, Ontario - The Government of Canada is working with Manitoba to deliver new programs for Canadian farm families through the Growing Forward initiative, but while that progress continues, existing programs under the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) will be extended for up to one year, starting April 1, 2008.

The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Honourable Rosann Wowchuk, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives today announced details about the continuation of programs under the APF.

"Growing Forward is delivering real results for Canadian agriculture and this Government is working with the provinces and territories to give farm families stability while we develop important new initiatives," said Minister Ritz. "Providing this stability, while delivering progress on Growing Forward is another example of this Government's commitment to put farmers first."

Farmers in Manitoba will continue to receive services from all APF shared federal and provincial programs in the areas of environment, food safety, innovation and renewal.

"The APF partnership has supported a wide variety of successful industry initiatives in Manitoba's agriculture sector from organic production and environmental farm plans to the link between agri-food research and medicine," said Minister Wowchuk. "Continuing these programs will allow for a smooth transition to Growing Forward and will provide certainty for our farmers and all our partners."

Consultations will continue so that Growing Forward programs are developed with the needs of sector in mind. "This gives us the time we need to ensure farmers have the voice they deserve in program design," said Minister Ritz.

For a list of continuing APF programs in Manitoba, visit www.agr.gc.ca/growingforward.