September 4, 2001 Federal Funding to Help Agricultural Sector with Environmental Concerns CAMBRIDGE, ON - Federal funding announced today will support more than a dozen new environment projects across Ontario with everything from water quality protection to greenhouse gas reduction. Money for the efforts will flow through the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ABSI), a $10 million, three-year national program, under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's $60 million-per-year Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) Fund. Ontario's share of the AESI is $2.475 million and will be delivered co-operatively by Ontario's Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC). "I would like to congratulate the Agricultural Adaptation Council and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition on their management of this program," said Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament (Kingston and the Islands). "These projects, which further the environmental sustainability of Ontario's agricultural land base, are in line with the federal government's environmental priority and will even enhance the sector's performance in that regard," noted Agricultural and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief, in making today's announcement. In June, federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers agreed to a national action plan to make Canada a world leader in food safety, innovation and environmental protection. A vital part of that plan is programs such as AESI, which enhance the agricultural sector's environmental performance through accelerated adoption of sound environmental practices on the farm. Bob Down, AESI Committee Chair, emphasized this initiative builds on the success of the National Soil and Water Conservation Program, focusing on water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat and bio-diversity and greenhouse gas emissions. "These projects will support Ontario's agricultural and agri-food industry through education and awareness, technology transfer and the adoption of on-farm innovation best management practices," added Mary Lou Garr, a mixed farmer and Director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, who represents OFEC on the AESI Committee. The following project, which requires an approved Environmental Farm Plan, has been approved and will receive funding under the AESI: Cataraqui Conservation Authority - - Cataraqui West Best Management Practices (BMPs) - $185,000 for planting buffer strips, stabilizing and creating low level crossings, constructing alternative watering areas and planting windbreaks among other activities on more than 30 farms.
For a full list of funding projects, visit the AAC's website at: www.adaptcouncil.org |