For immediate release from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and National Resources.

The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, and National Resources wishes to announce a number of program expansions in order to strengthen the Canadian agricultural sector and bring jobs and prosperity to agricultural communities across Canada.

The is additional funding to the Agri-Innovation Program, which will receive $50 million in additional funding. The Agri-Innovation Program has the aim of accelerating the commercialization, adoption and/or demonstration of innovative products, technologies, processes or services that increase agri-sector competitiveness and sustainability. These investments will ensure that the Canadian Agricultural sector not only remains globally competitive, but will become a leader in sustainable agricultural innovation.

The other program that will receive additional funding is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Additional investments to the agency will ensure that the Canadian food supply remains well protected from incidents of food-borne disease. An additional $50 million will be given to the agency to ensure that robust inspections can be carried out across Canada.

Canada is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters, and while we take great pride in the quality of the products of Canadian farms, none of that would be possible without the hard work of Canadian farmers. Farming communities form the backbone of the Canadian landscape and have done so for centuries. The Government is proud to make these investments in the Canadian farmer and in farming communities across Canada to ensure that they will be the leaders of a sustainable agricultural future.