Toronto, Canada
August 3, 2007
CropLife Canada and its member companies today applauded the
provincial government in Prince Edward Island for its
announcement regarding the Office of Biosciences and Economic
Innovation and its new deputy minister. CropLife Canada feels
that this announcement further highlights the PEI government's
commitment to encouraging innovation and helping to grow
Canada's emerging bioeconomy.
"We are pleased the government of PEI recognizes the importance
of innovation in Canada, which is key to the plant science
industry," said Lorne Hepworth, President of CropLife Canada.
"In fact, we have been advocating for support for a new vision
for agriculture where government and industry work together to
create an innovative, prosperous, sustainable and competitive
agriculture sector," said Hepworth.
"There is a great opportunity through PEI's commitment to
bioscience and innovation to help the agriculture sector take
advantage of the growing global Bio-Economy which has the
potential to reach $500 billion by 2015," said Hepworth. "It is
our hope the new Office of Biosciences and Economic Innovation
will recognize the needs of agriculture by modernizing
regulations and introducing new measures to help producers and
others in the industry capitalize on opportunities in domestic
and international markets."
The GrowCanada(R) Vision Innovation and Partnership in the
Bio-Economy, released by CropLife Canada and its GrowCanada(R)
partners in November 2006, highlights innovation and the
diversification of the agriculture sector beyond food and feed
production with a real focus on providing solutions for global
challenges. The GrowCanada(R) Vision, which is highly aligned to
the new policy framework from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
includes the development of strategic partnerships within
agriculture's value chain and across the economy to become a
world leader in providing new products and new solutions for
agricultural, nutritional, health, energy, and environmental
challenges facing consumers here in Canada and in markets around
the world.
"CropLife Canada looks forward to meeting with the new Deputy
Minister, Michael Mayne to discuss the plant science industry's
role in the bioeconomy," said Hepworth. "Together, we can ensure
a strong, viable agriculture sector for farmers, consumers and
industry in PEI and throughout Canada."
CropLife Canada is the non-profit trade association
representing manufacturers, developers and distributors of plant
life science solutions for agriculture, forestry and pest
management. Its members are committed to
sustainable agriculture that benefits not just their industry,
but its millions of consumers and the environment in which we
all live. The full report of its GrowCanada(R) Vision Innovation
and Partnership in the Bio-Economy can be found on CropLife
Canada's website at
http://www.croplife.ca/english/index.cfm
GrowCanada(R) partners include: Grain Growers of Canada,
Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada,
Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Canadian Seed Trade
Association, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Canadian
Horticulture Council and Pulse Canada. |
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