For Release: August 25, 2005

ONTARIO SUPPORTS AGRI-FOOD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Transfer Of Facilities Follows Recommendation At
Premier's Agricultural Summit

GUELPH - The Ontario government is building prosperity in the agri-food sector by helping the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario to attract new sources of investment, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.

"Research and innovation represent the next generation of jobs for Ontarians," said Dombrowsky. "A strong, prosperous and competitive agri-food industry depends on successful research and development. This transfer will give those efforts a clearer focus, increase efficiency and attract much-needed investments."

The government is following through on a key recommendation of the Premier's Agricultural Summit by transferring 14 agricultural research stations and three colleges to the institute. The goal is to increase collaboration and investment by federal and industry partners and ensure more efficient use of resources by matching infrastructure investments with research priorities.

"In the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century, the most valuable resource is a new idea - one that creates investment and jobs," said Dalton McGuinty, Ontario's Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation. "From health care and education to the business of agriculture, we are strengthening our research capacity and our province by strengthening our people."

"This important decision reaffirms the continuing outstanding support of the agri-food industry as shown by this government and the value of our enhanced partnership," said Alastair Summerlee, president of the University of Guelph.

"ARIO is delighted with the news," said Ginty Jocius, chair of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO). "It is anticipated that the upcoming transfer of facilities will help the Ontario government maximize its research investment by creating an environment conducive for more industry and federal funding."

"Research is critical to the future of Ontario's agricultural industry," said Helmuth Spreitzer, chair of the Agricultural Research Coalition. "Farmers have said that to move forward, we need a research system that is in sync with change. With the transfer of these facilities to ARIO, the door is open for industry and government work together to ensure we have a research system that is second to none."

The Agricultural Research Institute is a crown agency established to set priorities for agri-food research, in conjunction with government and the industry.

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Contact:
Art Chamberlain
Minister's Office
(416)326-3072

TRANSFER OF RESEARCH STATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES
TO THE AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE OF ONTARIO

Research Facilities to Be Transferred and Transfer Details
The ownership, management and operation of the following 14 research stations and three agricultural colleges is being transferred to the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO).

A wide range of innovative research is conducted at Ontario's research stations. Both small and large-scale projects are dedicated to developments in plant and animal production, the environment and rural issues. Testing new ideas through publicly funded projects ensures their viability before they are implemented on the farm. By offering a variety of conditions, the research stations effectively reduce economic risk for farmers by scientifically testing management practices and technologies.

The facilities are currently operated by the Ontario Realty Corporation, which reports to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal.

The transfer of the facilities and their operating funds to ARIO is consistent with recommendations made to the Premier during the Premier's Agri-Food Summit in December, 2004.

Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and Recommendations
ARIO is a crown agency established to set priorities for agri-food research, in conjunction with government and the industry. As ARIO is an operational agency of OMAFRA, the transfer maintains government responsibility and ownership.
The ARIO is comprised of farmers and agribusiness people and has a membership that reflects the broadly based nature of Ontario's agricultural industry.
The members of ARIO and the director of research are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The ministry provides a complement of staff to assist in ARIO's operations.
ARIO recently made 16 strategic recommendations to better focus agri-food research in Ontario, better align it with federal priorities and leverage greater investment. The transfer of research facilities to ARIO was one of the recommendations.

Timelines
Facilities are scheduled to be transferred by April 1, 2006.

Industry numbers
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs invests more than $40 million in agri-food research and technology transfers annually. Agri-food is a $30 billion a year industry in Ontario.

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Contact:
Paul Brine
Research and Innovation Branch
(519) 826-4162