Ottawa, Canada
July 7, 2003

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) have entered into a five-year $1,750,000 research agreement on integrated crop management (ICM).

ICM research in canola agronomy involves the study of weeds, plant disease, entomology and soil fertility. The longer-term systems research builds on the best technologies available to boost and sustain crop yields.

"Canola is one of the greatest Canadian success stories and this partnership with the Alberta Canola Producers Commission will improve, expand and sustain canola production," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lyle Vanclief. "Our collective scientific efforts in ICM help equip canola producers with the knowledge and tools they can use to compete and excel in global markets."

AAFC and ACPC are each committing $75,000-per-year over the length of the agreement. As well, AAFC is pledging the equivalent of about $200,000-a-year from departmental research facilities in Lacombe, Beaverlodge and Lethbridge in the services of scientists, technicians and other resources in support of ICM canola research."

"This new agreement, which follows a previous five-year research deal with AAFC, will allow agronomic systems research in canola to continue," said John McKee, Chair of ACPC's Research Committee. "The return on invested dollars to the growers is impressive. Assuming the canola produced on eight million acres in western Canada is worth $7.00 per bushel, AAFC's research on early weed removal would show a return of $224 million if no additional inputs were used."

The research agreement focuses on efficient and environmentally sustainable canola production that supports a comprehensive value chain. The value chain includes canola oil used in the home, bio-diesel and specialty-trait canola oils used in quick-service restaurants and food manufacturing.

The Alberta Canola Producers Commission represents Alberta canola growers in research, market development, extension and policy development aimed at increasing the long-term profitability of canola production in Alberta.

The federal-provincial-territorial Agricultural Policy Framework emphasizes a team approach to maximizing the use of Canada's agricultural science resources as a step to securing Canada's reputation for safe, high-quality food produced in an environmentally sustainable way.