Government of Canada Announces Transition Measure For 2007 AgriInvest

February 09, 2009

Ottawa – Ted Menzies, Member of Parliament for Macleod and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, is pleased to announce that Canadian farmers will soon start receiving government contributions under AgriInvest without any requirement to make matching producer deposits for the first year. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are waiving the deposit requirement as a transition measure for 2007 AgriInvest.

Beginning with the 2008 program year, farmers who make deposits to their AgriInvest accounts will receive matching government contributions.

“Once again, our government has demonstrated positive initiative, and during these difficult economic times, farmers will benefit greatly from this transition measure,” said Mr. Menzies.

AgriInvest is a business risk management program under Growing Forward, the policy framework for Canada’s agriculture. With AgriInvest accounts, producers who make a deposit based on a percentage of their allowable net sales will receive a matching government contribution. Matching government contributions are cost-shared on a 60/40 basis by federal and provincial or territorial governments. Producers have the flexibility to use the money to cover small margin declines or for investments to mitigate risk.

For more information, producers can call toll free 1-866-367-8506 or visit the AAFC web site at www.agr.gc.ca.