BIOTECH WEEK PROCLAIMED IN SASKATCHEWAN

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman today proclaimed the week of September 25th to 29th as Biotech Week in Saskatchewan.

"Saskatchewan is at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology research in Canada," Wartman said. "Saskatchewan researchers created the world's first genetically modified commercial canola variety and the first genetically engineered animal vaccine. New research is leading to innovative food and bio-products, bio-processing technologies, improved food quality and safety, increased feed efficiencies and livestock competitiveness, decreased agricultural production risks and new crop varieties that meet market demand and consumer preferences."

With more than 30 biotechnology firms and more than 700 researchers, Saskatchewan is Canada's fastest growing agricultural biotechnology centre. Most of the activity is based at Innovation Place and the University of Saskatchewan, home to North America's largest legume and cereal microbial inoculant manufacturing centre, Canada's agricultural genomics centre and the Canadian Light Source – Canada's first synchrotron facility.

"Biotechnology has helped build an internationally recognized research community in Saskatchewan, one with state-of-the-industry facilities renowned for breakthrough discoveries and the ability to market them," Wartman said. "Our biotech cluster is a national treasure and major industry players with worldwide reputations are finding Saskatchewan cities very cost-competitive when compared with cities across Europe, Japan and North America."

Various activities related to biotechnology will be held in Saskatchewan during Biotech Week, beginning with a kick-off event at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina on Sept. 25th at 10:00 a.m.

National Biotech Week is also observed across Canada from Sept. 25th to 29th. For national events, visit www.biotech.ca/imagenenation/.

For more information about Biotech Week in Saskatchewan, visit Ag-West Bio's website at www.agwest.sk.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Rehirchuk Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-2359