PRESS RELEASE September 21, 2006
New biofuels program invests in Alberta agriculture and food sector
Nisku, Alberta - The Agriculture and Food Council has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) that supports the criteria under the new Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI).
Worth $10 million, BOPI is funded nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and delivered regionally through the industry councils. The Agriculture and Food Council will administer Alberta's $1.8 million share of the program.
The BOPI program is designed to fund projects that enhance agricultural producers' ability to participate in and take advantage of opportunities created by biofuels production. Individual project funding will be capped at $300,000 and at least 25% of the project cost must be provided by non-government sources.
The main goal of this Initiative is to produce a viable business case for making transportation fuels that include agricultural inputs, said Chair Marilyn Sharp of the Agriculture and Food Council. The industry and rural communities will benefit from a real biofuels strategy that encourages producers to participate in equity ownership of biofuels production facilities.
BOPI will help provide new opportunities to producers, and will also help lay the foundation to meet Canada's biofuels commitment of 5% average renewable fuel content in transport fuel by 2010. Greater involvement in biofuels production facilities will allow agricultural producers to become participants in the value chain and increase their share of the benefits from renewable fuels production.
Funding may be used to develop viable business proposals or feasibility studies using primary inputs from agricultural products (corn, wheat, or other cereals for ethanol, vegetable oils or animal fat for biodiesel), and there are potential opportunities using straw or other biomass containing cellulose as inputs. Funding can also be used for proposals or studies relating to the use of wood, residues from processing plants or other residues or wastes for biofuel production.
Our producers and industry stakeholders know what it takes, either to make something better or to bring something new to the farm, Sharp said. This program simply recognizes that foundation and makes it possible to look beyond the conventional and compete with new ventures and opportunities.
The Expression of Interest form is available at www.agfoodcouncil.com. Completed forms must be submitted no later than Sept. 25, 2006. The BOPI program is administered under the existing Terms and Conditions of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program.
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For more information, media may contact: Tom Switzer, ACAAF Executive Director Agriculture and Food Council Phone: (780) 955-3714 ext. 226 E-mail: tom.switzer@agfoodcouncil.com
Rachel Peterson, Communications and Policy Coordinator Agriculture and Food Council Phone: (780) 955-3714 ext. 237 E-mail: rachel.peterson@agfoodcouncil.com
