June 28, 2018 – Fredericton, NB – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Livestock producers across the country and abroad depend on the high quality hay
produced by Canada's forage and grassland industry in order to deliver safe, nutritious,
and sustainable food. Increased forage exports, valued at $360.8 million for 2017,
are helping the agriculture sector reach its potential to be an even stronger economic
engine for the economy, driving towards our target of growing annual agri-food exports
to $75 billion by 2025.
Today, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, announced a federal
investment of $98,950 for the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA)
for a project funded through the AgriMarketing program under the Growing Forward
2 agreement. The investment is helping the sector increase export capacity and strengthen
awareness of Canadian forage products to new and emerging markets. In addition to
participating in international trade expos in the United States, the CFGA developed
export readiness training for their members and developed strategies for emerging
markets.
A further investment of $16,000 was provided to CFGA to hire a student intern under
the Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative to help farmers integrate environmentally
beneficial management practices into their crop planning. The initiative has created
591 youth jobs nationally, both on the farm and with organizations engaged in the
agriculture and agri-food sector.
Today's announcement is part of Minister MacAulay's 'Growing Canadian Agriculture'
tour, where he will meet with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well
as participate in rural agricultural events across the country, to hear ideas on
how to capture new growth opportunities for the sector.
Quotes
"Our Government has a strong agenda for growth in agriculture and agri-food and
is committed to supporting our farmers, young and old, with strategic investments
and opportunities that expand growth, deliver prosperity and create well-paying
middle class jobs." - Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Canada's forage sector is the largest land-use type in Canadian agriculture and
is exceptionally diverse, covering over 72-million acres coast to coast. The forage
sector generates an annual value of $5.09-billion as the backbone of the ruminant
livestock sector, and serves an increasingly important role in feeding livestock
around the world. Forage exporters from across the country are ramping up production
to service growing markets in China, the Middle East, United States and Central
America. AgriMarketing program funding provides an important cost-share for our
industry partners to leverage their market growth activities around the world" -
Cedric MacLeod, Executive Director, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association
Quick Facts
- The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion investment by federal-provincial
and territorial governments (FPT), which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food
and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity.
The Partnership replaced Growing Forward 2 (2013-2018) in April 2018.
- The CFGA provides a national voice for all Canadians who produce hay and forage
products and for those whose production is dependent upon forage and grassland production.
Their main role is to uphold the robust forage industry and realize the potential
of the domestic and export forage market.
- The Agricultural Youth Green Jobs Initiative was announced as a one year program
in April of 2016 and then extended for 2 years for 2017-18 and 2018-19 for a total
investment of $5.2 million. The initiative follows through on a Government of Canada
commitment to help create good, well-paying jobs and to support young Canadians
as they transition into the workforce.
Additional Links
Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association