The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, today announced new Growing Forward programs for the sector. The federal-provincial agreement outlining details of the program in Ontario has been signed.

Industry participants were consulted extensively on which programs should be available under the Growing Forward initiative in Ontario. As a result, programming focuses on two areas: Best Practices and Innovation and Science. Best Practices helps improve performance in four key areas: environment and climate change; food safety and traceability; business development; and biosecurity. Innovation and science programs will encourage and support ongoing research and the commercialization of research.

"I am very proud we have reached an agreement with Ontario. For Ontario producers, this is truly a momentous occasion. Growing Forward programs will deliver real results for farmers and their families and place greater emphasis on profitability and innovation," said Gerry Ritz, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

"Growing Forward reflects the needs of our agri-food industry. It puts emphasis on building a profitable sector through investment in innovation, a flexible approach to meet individual business needs and more partnerships with industry," Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said.