Celebrating the Role of Canadian Agriculture in Helping the Environment (June 9, 2005)

OTTAWA, June 9, 2005 – With all provinces and territories now having signed agreements under the environment component of the Agricultural Policy Framework (APF), farmers and all Canadians will see the benefits of the $662 million in new environmental programs announced since the launch of the framework, says Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell.


Minister Mitchell says federal-provincial-territorial agreements under the environment element of the APF are encouraging farmers to develop environmental farm plans and adopt new technologies and practices that minimize the impact of agriculture on the environment.


“We have achieved an important milestone, with Environmental Farm Planning agreements signed and programs to implement beneficial management practices now operating in every province across Canada,” said Minister Mitchell. “Environment Week provides an ideal opportunity to celebrate the impact these agreements will have on the long-term success of Canada’s agriculture industry. They strengthen the industry’s capacity to make business decisions that are environmentally responsible and contribute to the sustainable development of Canada’s agricultural land and water resources.”


For the past two years, governments and industry have been working to establish voluntary environmental planning systems - and expand on existing systems - on farms across the country. These systems help identify on-farm activities that address and manage environmental risks from agriculture. Working in partnership with the sector, governments have established agri-environmental targets and indicators to track environmental performance in agriculture, and ultimately increase the global competitiveness of Canadian agricultural products.


With funding under the APF, producers across the country are now participating in workshops and other initiatives to assess their environmental strengths and risks to their farm and to develop action plans to address the risks. Once plans are reviewed and approved, they are eligible for financial and technical assistance from the Government of Canada’s National Farm Stewardship Program (NFSP) to help implement specific BMPs that lower environmental risks from farming.


Since the introduction of the APF, approximately 20,800 farmers have participated in EFP workshops, resulting in the development of about 16,400 plans. These figures represent more than a 40 per cent increase in participation over the previous eight years.


“Working together under the Agricultural Policy Framework, governments and industry are looking to accelerate efforts to reduce agricultural risks and provide benefits to Canada’s water resources, soil, air, and biodiversity,” said Environment Minister Stéphane Dion. “Our environmental initiatives under the banner of Project Green, are making good our commitment to support a sustainable environment and a more competitive economy for the benefit of the agricultural sector as well as all Canadians.”


Project Green is a set of national policies and programs aimed at supporting a sustainable environment and a more competitive economy. It addresses a range of environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity, water, contaminated sites and clean air.


Minister Mitchell noted this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA). The PFRA has a long and proud legacy of working with producers to ensure the sustainable use of the Prairie’s agricultural soil and water resources. In Budget 2005, the Government of Canada mandated Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the PFRA to examine how PFRA services could be extended to farmers across the country.


Other environment initiatives under the APF have helped to convert environmentally-sensitive farmland into land covered by perennial crops; secure more local and regional water resources; increase the use of more environmentally-friendly pesticides; and, promote the use of ethanol as an alternate fuel derived from farm produce.


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For more information, media may contact:


Elizabeth Whiting
Press Secretary
Minister Mitchell’s Office
(613) 759-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(866) 345-7972
(613) 759-7972