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Government of Canada to help bioproduct market |
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EDMUNDSTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwire - Jan. 18, 2008) - The
Government of Canada is investing $861,000 in three projects to help
New Brunswick farmers advance opportunities to turn agricultural crops
and by-products into renewable fuel and biodegradable plastic and
packaging. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Christian
Paradis, Secretary of State for Agriculture, on behalf of the
Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and on behalf of the Honourable
Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency.
"The demand for greener products is uncovering new value in
agriculture and opening new market opportunities, both in crops and
even in what was once considered worthless waste," said Mr. Paradis.
"With these projects, we are continuing to help New Brunswickers
advance economic opportunities that also help the environment."
The funding announced today includes:
- $500,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA)
Business Development Program to BIO-D Energie Inc. for the purchase and
retrofitting of an existing facility to establish a biodiesel
processing plant facility in Clair, New Brunswick. Eligible costs for
the project include the purchase of the necessary equipment and
improvements to the existing mill.
- $300,000 under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Biofuels
Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI) for BIO-D Energie Inc. to
further refine their production technology in order to produce
biodiesel from canola and soy to meet North American standards.
- $61,000 for the Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and
Biotechnological Sciences in Grand Falls through AAFC's Advancing
Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program to determine the
most cost-efficient technology to transform starch from waste potatoes
and grain into lactic acid that can be used in biodegradable plastic
and other more environmentally-friendly packaging.
"Agriculture is an important sector in Northwestern New Brunswick
and we are pleased to support innovative initiatives like these
projects," said Robert Theriault, a director on the New Brunswick
Agricultural Council which delivers ACAAF and BOPI. "These Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada programs are designed to be flexible and
responsive and are administered by industry leaders who understand
regional needs in New Brunswick."
For more information on ACAAF and BOPI, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/acaaf and www.agr.gc.ca/bopi.
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