|
Next Generation of Environmental Farm Plans Launched in Ontario (April 18, 2005)
MILDMAY, April 16, 2005 – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) have signed an agreement to deliver more than $57 million in Government of Canada support for programs to help Ontario farmers expand their environmental stewardship activities and make environmental considerations a farm business priority. The funding is being provided under the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan Program (EFP) and Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program (COFSP).
Andy Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, together with his colleague, Paul Steckle, MP for Huron-Bruce announced the initiative and launched the Third Edition EFP Workbook today at a farm near Mildmay. Carol Mitchell, MPP for Huron-Bruce on behalf of Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and representatives from Ontario farm organizations were also present at the announcement.
The Environmental Farm Plan and Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Programs, which are key components of the environment chapter of the federal-provincial-territorial Agricultural Policy Framework, will help improve Ontario’s on-farm environmental practices and position Canada as a world leader in environmentally responsible agricultural production.
“Environmental sustainability is integral to the health and quality of life for rural and urban Canadians,” said Minister Mitchell. “I congratulate Ontario’s farm organizations for the leadership and initiative they have shown in increasing awareness and adoption of stewardship practices. These activities are critical to ensuring the long-term efficiency and productivity of Ontario’s agricultural sector locally, nationally and abroad.”
“Canadians can be confident that farmers are already managing land and water resources in a sustainable fashion and this funding will encourage them to adopt new approaches to meet environmental challenges, while remaining profitable,” said Mr. Steckle. “By providing financial incentives to adopt beneficial management practices, the Government of Canada supports farmers’ efforts to reduce the risk to the environment from agricultural operations, which benefits all Canadians.”
The OFA is the signatory to the agreement on behalf of the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC). OFEC represents more than 50 farm organizations in the province, with leadership provided by OFA, Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment (AGCare) and Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC).
The delivery of the environmental farm plan program will be coordinated with other related federal and provincial environmental initiatives, including Ontario’s $20 million Nutrient Management Financial Assistance Program (NMFAP).
“Environmental farm planning is very important to the agriculture industry. Our partnership with producers is key to enhancing the health of Ontarians and their environment,” said Ms. Mitchell. “The province will continue to provide technical expertise, and will supplement the federal cost-share for producers who meet the eligibility requirements through the NMFAP.”
“For more than a dozen years, Ontario farmers have embraced environmental farm plans, and have rallied behind this program that was designed by farmers, for farmers, and delivered by farmers,” said Ron Bonnett, OFA president and OFEC co-chair.
OFA is contracting with the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) to manage the delivery of the programs. More than 27,000 Ontario farmers have participated in previous editions of EFP workshops and voluntarily committed time and resources to stewardship projects.
“OSCIA is pleased to deliver these programs, which will provide farmer-to-farmer expertise to help producers green their operations while remaining profitable,” said Kevin Ferguson, president of the OSCIA.
The OSCIA has qualified local program representatives in place to deliver the Third Edition EFP Workbook, and EFP workshops to be hosted throughout the province will be announced in the coming weeks. Trained facilitators and technical assistants will be available at these sessions to help producers complete their risk assessments and action plans.
Once producers have a peer-reviewed environmental farm plan, they are eligible to apply for financial assistance under the Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program to help with the implementation of specific beneficial management practices (BMPs).
In Ontario, producers can choose from 25 categories of BMPs designed to reduce environmental risks. The program will cost-share either 30 per cent or 50 per cent of the eligible costs of implementation, depending on the BMP, up to a maximum of $30,000 per legal entity. The program will end on March 31, 2008.
Information on the programs is available from OSCIA at 519-826-4214 or visit the web site at: www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(866) 345-7972
Minister Mitchell’s Office
Elizabeth Whiting
Press Secretary
(613) 759-1059
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Dave McLeod
Communications
416-326-3029
416-420-5631 (Mobile)
Ron Bonnett, President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
416-706-1646
Kevin Ferguson, President
OSCIA
519-826-4214
|
