GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA AND SASKATCHEWAN LAUNCH GROWING FORWARD PROGRAMS FOR PRODUCERS

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud have signed the Growing Forward bilateral and contribution agreements. This agreement includes new non-Business Risk Management programming for Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. The suite of programs announced will provide flexibility to Saskatchewan producers, by allowing them to select from the programming available to meet their operation's needs.

"Farmers expect all levels of government to work together to drive Canadian agriculture and this agreement is making that happen," said Minister Ritz. "Growing Forward delivers stable and bankable programs that work for farmers. The agreement we signed will kick-start the rollout of these essential programs in Saskatchewan."

Highlights of today's announcement for Saskatchewan include funding for a province-wide Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, farm business programs, environmental programs, food safety, biosecurity and voluntary traceability programming as well as funding toward provincial research and innovation.

Today's agreement will deliver more than $216 million in non-Business Risk Management agriculture programming in Saskatchewan over the next four years.

"We are pleased to work with the federal government to deliver real benefits to Saskatchewan producers," Bjornerud said. "Growing Forward is going to address a number of specific needs in this province."

For more information on Growing Forward programs in Saskatchewan, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca or www.agr.gc.ca/GrowingForward, or call 1-866-457-2377.

-30-
For more information, contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-759-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Ottawa
Phone: 613-759-1059

Jenna Webb
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.webb@gov.sk.ca