Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnick announced Growing Forward 2 program details for the agriculture and agrifood sector in British Columbia. The announcement follows the signing of the Canada-B.C. Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement.

"Our Government remains focused on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for British Columbia's agriculture industry," said Minister Ritz. "Growing Forward 2 provides flexible, innovative programming for B.C.'s hard-working producers to ensure that the industry has the tools available to remain innovative and competitive, as well as to grow in new and existing markets."

Growing Forward 2 is a renewed commitment by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to ensure productivity and profitability for Canada's agricultural sector. With a focus on innovation, competitiveness, and market development, Growing Forward 2 programs will help the industry seize future opportunities and realize its full potential as a major driver of the Canadian economy. Programs are also tailored with the flexibility to meet B.C.'s diverse regional requirements.

"The programs contained in Growing Forward 2 will meet the needs of B.C.'s incredibly diverse agrifoods sector, and the views and opinions we received from B.C.'s food producers when consulting with them are represented in the agreement," said Letnick. "Growing Forward 2 supports the B.C. government's Agrifoods Strategy's priorities of innovation and competitiveness, and will contribute to the sector becoming a $14 billion a year industry by 2017."

The new five-year Growing Forward 2 agreement includes $2 billion for federal-provincial-territorial strategic initiatives, a 50 per cent increase in cost-shared funding, as well as $1 billion for federal-only strategic initiatives. The federal government has announced details of its three federal programs: AgriInnovation, AgriMarketing and AgriCompetitiveness.

Under Growing Forward 2 governments will continue to offer ongoing funding for a complete and effective suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to ensure farmers are protected against severe market volatility and disasters.

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

Information on Growing Forward 2 programs in B.C. is available at: www.gov.bc.ca/agri

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Robert Boelens
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674

Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613 773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613 773-7972
1 866 345-7972

BACKGROUNDER

Highlights of the Canada-B.C. Growing Forward 2 Bilateral and Contribution Agreements

In addition to funding for business risk management programs, Growing Forward 2 will provide $105 million over five years (2013-18) to support British Columbia's agrifoods sector in three key areas: innovation ($27 million), competitiveness and market development ($55 million), and adaptability and industry capacity ($23 million).

Innovation

Innovation Programs are designed to increase profitability by encouraging the agrifoods industry in B.C. to focus on the "innovation continuum" from research and development, and pilot programming, through to the commercialization and adoption of new products, processes and practices. The programs will be open to activities or projects that are within two years of commercialization, and focus on one of the following priorities:

• Energy and Waste Management

• Advancements in Plant, Animal and Food Science

• New Product Development and Commercialization

• Improvements in Soil, Water and Air Quality

• Climate Change Adaptation.

Competitiveness and Market Development

These programs aim to create and expand market-based opportunities and provide industry with knowledge and tools to compete at home and abroad.

Market Development programs help diversify markets for B.C.'s agriculture, food and seafood products, increase profitability, and help B.C.'s agri-businesses identify and capitalize on new trends and consumer preferences. In addition to market development support, market intelligence and advisory services are also provided.

Competitiveness Programs support the sector, meet and respond to consumers demand for trusted, high-quality products that are produced in an environmentally sustainable and humane manner, and include programs on:

• Biosecurity and Surveillance

• Food Safety

• Traceability and Premises Identification

• Farm Animal Welfare

Adaptability and Industry Capacity

These programs support farms and firms to help increase profitability, and effectively anticipate and manage challenges and risks, and include programs on:

• Business Knowledge and Strategic Adaptation

• Industry Capacity Building

• Sustainable Agriculture Management

Media Contacts:

Robert Boelens
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674

Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613 773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613 773-7972
1 866 345-7972