New Brunswick, Alberta agree to harvest opportunities from a growing bioeconomy - ALBERTA - Alberta and New Brunswick are working together to turn traditional agriculture and marine products into renewable fuels, fibers and other products.

An agreement that begins to harness the unlimited potential within the growing bioeconomy was signed by Doug Horner, Minister for Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and David Alward, Minister for New Brunswick Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"This agreement creates an opportunity for a great deal of cooperation between Alberta and New Brunswick surrounding the growing bioeconomy," said Horner. "Pushing for a responsive national regulatory framework will provide both of our provinces an incredible opportunity to seize economic and environmental benefits of our renewable resources."

"The process of developing the agreement has already identified several areas where New Brunswick and Alberta can support each other," said David Alward. "We know that potato, fish feed, and biofuel research, development and commercialization will be a large part of this agreement. We must expand the value chain for our farmers. This partnership will reinforce the work we have already undertaken."

The agreement signed between Alberta and New Brunswick calls for cooperation and exchange of information between the two provinces to encourage the development, and commercialization of bio-based fuels and energy. It also advocates for a tough, yet responsive, regulatory framework at the national level that will foster growth of the entire bioeconomy.

The agreement will lay the groundwork for collaboration between Alberta and New Brunswick on new partnership opportunities development. Some potential projects might include bio-based products in areas such as high-value aquaculture feed and potatoes. Also resulting from this agreement is a planned workshop that will bring together industry and government to identify potential projects.

Bio-based products, which include renewable fuels, energy, materials, fibers and other products from agricultural and marine biomass, are some of the contributions agriculture and aquaculture can make to the bioeconomy.

The agreement was signed prior to the opening of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial ministers of agriculture meetings being held in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Source: Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development - 27th June 2006