NB 928
June 23, 2008
MEMRAMCOOK (CNB) - An investment of $772,000 by the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick will be helping New Brunswick tree fruit and grape growers meet new market demands.
The announcement was made today by Minister of Agriculture and Aquaculture Ronald Ouellette, and Rob Moore, MP for Fundy Royal.
"These investments will allow tree fruit and grape growers to be responsive to marketplace demands by removing varieties which are no longer required, and replanting with varieties that are in demand and grown under more efficient and productive systems," Ouellette said. "The revitalization of these sectors will allow agriculture to be a full participant in our government's objective of achieving self-sufficiency."
"This government is listening to farmers from coast to coast and delivering the help they need, when they need it," Moore said. "New Brunswick's tree fruit and grape industries are changing their operations to stay competitive, and this government is supporting them through that transition."
Moore attended on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
Federal funding of up to $463,680 is being made available under the Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program, and is designed to assist producers in the removal of fruit trees and vines, and to help industry organizations develop strategic commodity plans.
The province is contributing up to $309,000 under the New Brunswick Apple Industry Development Initiative to help apple growers plant new varieties,
improve their post- harvest apple storage systems, enhance on-farm food safety and quality-control-assurance requirements, and prepare orchards for
replanting. The first $100,000 of this funding was announced in May 2007, and is being used by the apple sector.
For further information on the Canada-New Brunswick Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program and the New Brunswick Apple Industry Development Initiative, please call 1-506-453-2108.
08/06/23
EDITOR'S NOTE: Backgrounder on the Canada-New Brunswick Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program follows. MEDIA CONTACTS: Alain Bryar, communications, Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture, 506-444-4218; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 613-759-7972 or 1-866-345-7972; Margaux Stastny, press secretary, Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz, 613-759-1059.
BACKGROUNDER
Canada-New Brunswick Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program
The Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program, which runs until March 31, 2011, will allow New Brunswick tree fruit and grape growers to apply for funding to help cover some of the costs associated with removing fruit trees or vines, and for industry associations to develop strategic commodity plans.
In order to be eligible, producers who participate in the program must have an orchard or vineyard that has a minimum size of 0.25 hectares. Producers will also have to commit to keeping the land in agriculture or available to agriculture for five years.
Eligible producers who have removed fruit trees or vines as of Oct. 25, 2007 or later will receive financial assistance of up to $4,000 per hectare to cover some of the costs of removing plant stock.
Of the $463,680 in federal funds, up to $19,200 will be available to industry associations to develop strategic commodity plans.
The Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture will deliver the program.
The provincial contribution of $309,000 complements the program, and includes $100,000 under the New Brunswick Apple Industry Development Initiative announced in May 2007 to help apple growers plant new varieties, improve their post-harvest storage systems, enhance on-farm food safety and quality-control-assurance requirements, and prepare orchards for replanting.
Implementing changes to an orchard or vineyard is very costly because of the time it takes for trees and vines to mature and provide a good return on
investment. The funding being provided to these industries is aimed at helping growers with some of the costs associated with implementing the changes they
need to make to remain competitive.
For further information on the Canada-New Brunswick Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program and the New Brunswick Apple Industry Development Initiative, please call 1-506-453-2108.
Apple Sector
New Brunswick is one of five apple-producing provinces in Canada, and last year produced 300,000 bushels. The local industry is made up of 27 growers with an estimated 300 hectares of apples. The McIntosh variety makes up half of the province's apple production. The Cortland accounts for 25 per cent of production, and the Paula Red about seven per cent. The newer Honeycrisp variety makes up about 3.5 per cent. The remaining 14.5 per cent is made up of a mix of varieties.
Grape Sector
The grape-growing industry in New Brunswick is in its infancy. The development of winter-hardy rootstock has led to increased interest in grape production in the province. Currently there are 30 members in the New Brunswick Grape Growers Association, growing both white and red grape varieties on 30 hectares. Most of the growers are located in micro-climates in the area north of Moncton along the Northumberland Strait, and in the southwest region between Moncton and Saint John along the Bay of Fundy, with a few other members located south of Fredericton.
08/06/23