For Release: September 19, 2006

Building A Stronger Foundation For Ontario Agriculture

The McGuinty government values the contributions of Ontario's agri-food industry to the health of this province. The government also understands that our agricultural communities face unique challenges and is providing financial assistance to help overcome current hurdles and build a solid foundation for future growth.

In total, Ontario will provide an additional $110 million to the agriculture sector, through three initiatives:

• $10 million - the province's share of funding - to continue the Self Directed Risk Management program for 2006 and 2007. This program provides financial support to horticulture producers while production insurance programs for this sector are expanded and improved.
  
• $4 million to assist the cattle industry address the ongoing repercussions of BSE.
• $96 million to assist those Ontario producers who would have received more assistance through the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program in the financially challenging 2003, 2004 and 2005 years had the new inventory valuation approach been in place then. (Federal and provincial ministers agreed to change the inventory valuation methodology to make CAIS more responsive, predictable and bankable. The changes will take place within CAIS for the 2006 program year.)

This assistance is in addition to the more than $800 million delivered to Ontario farmers over the last three years, including the $125 million announced in the spring of this year.

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Contact:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3072