Fredericton, New Brunswick
March 3, 2007
The Honourable Chuck Strahl,
Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today
announced an additional $10 million in funding for the Biofuels
Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI).
"Canada's New Government is serious about achieving real results
on the environment, and to create new opportunities for our
farmers. Expanding this program is part of our commitment to
getting that job done," said Minister Strahl. "The additional
$10 million investment will give producers the boost needed to
develop new market opportunities for the agricultural sector."
"Today's announcement recognizes that farmers are critical to
the success of developing and bringing to market alternative
fuels for the benefit of our citizens and environment," said the
Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. "This
initiative will help ensure farmers have a chance to participate
in and benefit from helping Canada meet its target of 5 per cent
biofuel content in fuels by 2010."
In July 2006, Canada's New Government announced $10 million
BOPI. High producer demand to participate in this program led to
today's announcement of $10 million which doubles the total BOPI
funding up to $20 million over two years.
BOPI helps agricultural producers develop sound business
proposals, as well as undertake feasibility or other studies to
support the creation and expansion of the biofuel production
capacity. This initiative will continue to be delivered through
the regional industry councils that administer AAFC's Advancing
Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program.
In addition to this initiative, in December 2006 Canada's New
Government announced it would regulate the use of renewable
fuels in Canada and has put in place $500 million in programs to
assist farmers and rural communities seize new market
opportunities in the agricultural bioproducts sector. |
|
