AGRI-FOOD INNOVATION FUND ANNOUNCES BOARD

Released on October 17, 1995

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Ralph Goodale and
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Andy Renaud today announced
the board of directors for the Agri-Food Innovation Fund.

The Agri-Food Innovation Fund, a $91-million federal/provincial fund,
has been established as part of the interim farm safety net agreement
between Canada and Saskatchewan. The fund will focus on developing
opportunities for new and emerging sectors of the agriculture and food
industry. It will address sector needs for infrastructure, research,
marketing, biotechnology, financing, processing and training.

"The Innovation Fund will be driven by an industry board to ensure all
players are involved in developing a self-sustaining market-focused
agriculture and food industry in Saskatchewan," Goodale said. "The
development of new opportunities in the agri-food sector in
Saskatchewan will assist in meeting Canada's ambitious export targets."

"The provincial strategic direction for the agriculture and food
industry promotes diversification and adding value to what we produce
on Saskatchewan farms," Renaud said. "The Agri-Food Innovation Fund
will help to diversify the Saskatchewan economy which will contribute
to the creation of jobs and wealth for the province's residents."

The ministers agreed that the Innovation Fund will help the agriculture
and food industry in Saskatchewan to become broadly based, diversified
and capable of capturing new and emerging market opportunities.

The 12-member board is made up of representatives from the private and
public sectors.

Appointed to the board as Government of Canada representatives are:
Robert Wettlaufer, acting director general, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation
Administration, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Regina; Judy Moore,
assistant deputy minister (Saskatchewan region), Western Economic
Diversification, Saskatoon; Leroy Berry, producer, Carievale; Donald
Tait, producer, Elrose; Lorne Thomson, meat processor, Thomson Meats
Ltd., Melfort; and Dr. Gordon Rowland, director, Crop Development
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.

Appointed to the board as Government of Saskatchewan representatives
are: Dale Sigurdson, assistant deputy minister, Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food, Regina; Dr. George Lee, co-ordinator of
agricultural research, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon; Don
Russell, producer, Rosetown; Bob Chapple, crop processor, Prairie Malt
Ltd., Biggar; Dr. Betty Althouse, producer and veterinarian, Humboldt;
and Dr. Louise Greenberg, manager of operations, Extension Services,
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Regina.

A federal/provincial secretariat has been established to provide
management and administrative support for the activities involving the
Innovation Fund.

Program information is available by calling the secretariat toll-free
at 1-800-242-8369.
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For more information, contact:

Agri-Food Innovation Fund
3085 Albert St.
Regina, S4S 0B1
Phone: 1-800-242-8369 (toll-free)
Internet mailbox: innovate @mailer.agr.gov.sk.ca

John Babcock, Provincial Contact Deanne Belisle, Federal Contact
Phone: (306) 787-9768 Phone: (306) 780-8262 or 787-8096