“During the meeting, I heard many ideas on how we can stimulate farmer involvement in biofuels production,” said Minister Strahl. “Canada’s new government wants to ensure that farmers are engaged and ready to take advantage of the opportunities created by our commitment to renewable fuels.”

This roundtable was a follow-up to the May 23 ministers meeting on renewable fuels in Regina, where Canada’s new government reaffirmed its commitment to developing a national biofuels strategy to ensure that five percent of transportation fuels will be renewable by 2010.

The roundtable participants discussed ways to ensure the biofuels mandate translates into significant benefits to agricultural producers through international competitiveness, research and development and ensuring opportunities for producer ownership. Participants agreed that the federal biofuels strategy needs to focus on making the right choices for farmers.

It is expected that this issue will be further discussed at next week’s federal, provincial, territorial meeting of agriculture ministers scheduled for June 25 to 27 in St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working with industry, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada on a biofuels strategy that will achieve the 2010 target.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s approach to the biofuels strategy is focused on ensuring the maximum possible benefits for farmers, the environment and Canadians in general, helping build a vibrant agriculture industry.

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