CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - P.E.I. producers looking to make environmentally-based improvements to their farms can now apply for new funding under the Canada-P.E.I. Agriculture Stewardship Program. Through the program, $4.72 million in federal-provincial funding is available for more than 25 on-farm practices ranging from erosion control measures to pesticide risk reduction.

The funding was announced today by P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns and Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board.

"Industry and government in P.E.I. have already made significant investments in on-farm conservation projects that help protect the quality of our soil and water resources and which contribute to the sustainability of their operations," said Premier Binns. "I am very pleased that this new program will build on those successes which benefit society as a whole."

"Today's announcement on environmentally-based farm improvements reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to the environment," said Minister Mackay. "P.E.I. is one of the leaders in environmental practices as 75 percent of commercial farms on the Island already have an environmental farm plan in place. When producers do so, they add benefits to water, soil, air and biodiversity."

Under the Canada-P.E.I. Agriculture Stewardship Program, the Government of Canada is investing up to $3.38 million and the province is providing $1.34 million to farmers with a completed environmental farm plan (EFP). The new funding helps producers address risks and opportunities identified in their EFP.

The Canada-P.E.I. Agriculture Stewardship Program is a new initiative for the Island. It builds on the existing Sustainable Resources Conservation Program in effect on P.E.I. since 1999.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is an important partner and is providing $40,000 to implement on-farm wetlands. "Ducks Unlimited Canada is very pleased to participate in the Canada-P.E.I. Agriculture Stewardship Program," said Tom Duffy, DUC's Manager of Government Relations for Atlantic Canada. "We recognize the strong link between the environmental and economic sustainability of agriculture and the importance of society investing in ecological benefits provided by wetlands."

Eddy Dykerman, President of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering environmental farm plans in the province, said the new funding will help many Island producers achieve their on-farm environmental goals.

"These funds will mean greater opportunity for P.E.I. farmers to continue to implement environmentally beneficial practices on their farm, but being able to continue these practices is, in large part, dependent on the farmer's ability to pay for their implementation."

The Canada-P.E.I. Agriculture Stewardship Program runs until 2008 and completes program funding for the environment chapter of the Agricultural Policy Framework on P.E.I. It complements the $828,000 Environmental Farm Plan Program announced in August of 2004 and the $2.3 million Canada-P.E.I. National Water Program announced in April of 2004. Today's announcement offers the Island's primary producers access to an environmental programs and services package that now totals $7.85 million.

Information and applications forms are available from the P.E.I. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture at (902) 894-0340.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is working with its provincial and industry partners to develop programs and promote sound farm stewardship practices which contribute to a clean and healthy environment for all Canadians. For more information on AAFC's environment programs and services, please visit www.agr.ca.

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