Canada and B.C. targeted investments to support business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability under the Growing Forward Agreement in the third quarter of 2012-13. Growing Forward is a five-year framework that co-ordinates federal, provincial and territorial agriculture policy.

Between Oct. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2012, the following funding was released under Growing Forward:

• ARDCorp: $15,000 for the Pacific Ag Show 2013-Agri-energy Forum
• ARDCorp: $75,971 for the Food Safety System Implementation Producer Program
• ARDCorp: $414,938 for the Beneficial Management Practices (BMP)Program
• ARDCorp: $200,000 for the Knowledge Mobilization Web Platform Project
• ARDCorp: $48,280 for the Enterprise Infrastructure Traceability Program
• B.C. Broiler Hatching Egg Commission: $5,500 for the Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) Project (Year 4)
• B.C. Cattlemen's Association: $21,000 for the Windermere District Farmers Institute Demonstration Project-Monitoring the Effectiveness of Agricultural BMPs (Phase 3)
• B.C. Dairy Hoof Health Group: $7,200 for the Dairy Facility Design & Robotics Conference
• B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation: $108,513 for the Canada-B.C. Agri-Innovation Program
• B.C. Sustainable Poultry Farming Group: $14,952 for Quantification and Qualification of antimicrobial use in the supply-managed poultry industry
• Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco/Silicon Valley: $3,000 to support the Agri-innovation Boot Camp Initiative
• Food Innovation Centre of B.C.: $30,790 for continuation of Operational Support
• Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association: $7,300 for speakers at the LMHIA Horticulture Growers Short Course-Agri-innovation
• Small Scale Food Processor Association: $201,390 for the Food Safety Systems Implementation (Processor) Program
• University of British Columbia: $15,000 for food safety systems implementation and outreach - farm good agricultural practices risk assessment

Total contributions: $1,168,833

These funds are part of the $78 million being invested in a number of non-Business Risk Management programs designed to help farmers and other participants in the agricultural and agri-food industry increase their competitiveness and profitability.

The Growing Forward Agreement also includes up to $475 million in B.C. to help provide income stability and insurance against losses through Business Risk Management programs.

In September 2012, federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture agreed to the next policy framework, Growing Forward 2, which represents a $3-billion investment over five years in strategic initiatives for innovation, competitiveness and market development. It will come into effect on April 1, 2013, when the current Growing Forward policy framework expires.

Learn More:

For more information on Growing Forward programs visit: http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/apf/GF_Programs.html

For more information on Growing Forward 2, visit: www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward2

Media Contact:

Dave Crebo
Ministry of Agriculture
250 812-5747