OTTAWA, Ontario, March 2, 2007 – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued a statement following his address to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting.

“Canada’s New Government has succeeded in making positive progress for the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector over the past year.

“From day one, agriculture has been important to this Government, with the acceleration of the $755-million Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program and the $1.5-billion investment in Budget 2006, triple the original commitment.

“Over the past year, we have enhanced cash advance programs for farmers, responded to farmers hit by flooding and drought and supported biofuels development. We have moved forward on our commitment to marketing choice for Western Canadian wheat and barley producers.

“We’re not only acting at home, we’re continuing to defend supply management at the WTO negotiations. We are taking action under Article 28 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to address imports of milk protein concentrates and protect our producers.

“We are also making business risk management programming more responsive, predictable and bankable for Canadian producers.

“A number of improvements have already been implemented at the request of industry, with $950 million in federal support, but both I, and my provincial and territorial colleagues, agree that more must be done.

“We will be moving toward a new margin-based program in 2007 that will better address the needs of Canadian producers.

“And, we’re listening very carefully to what farmers are saying during our consultations regarding gaps and shortcomings in the current system – including the issue of NISA-type savings accounts.

“Canada’s New Government will continue to work with all our partners – governments, industry and Canadians – to ensure a bright future for Canadian producers with a policy that creates new opportunities for the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.”

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For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario

613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl’s Office
613-759-1059