"We are proud to announce an investment of funding in a biofuels project that could lead to new opportunities for the agricultural community in southern Alberta," said MP Myron Thompson. "Canada's New Government is working to expand biofuels opportunities across the country, which is beneficial for producers, rural communities and the environment."
Through the Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI) companies in southern Alberta are receiving funding to help evaluate barley's potential in the biofuels industry, develop feasibility studies and business plans for biodiesel production and to assess, develop and demonstrate mobile diesel refining opportunities for western Canadian farms.
"These projects demonstrate Alberta's commitment to our environment and our agricultural sector," said Marilyn Sharp, Chair of the Agriculture and Food Council, which administers the BOPI program in Alberta. "We are pleased that the federal government is providing support to help companies explore the potential for biofuel use."
BOPI is a $20 million commitment by Canada's New Government designed to provide farmers and rural communities with opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, increased Canadian biofuels production. The initiative helps agricultural producers develop sound business proposals, as well as undertake feasibility or other studies to support the creation and expansion of biofuel production capacity. It is delivered through the regional industry councils that administer Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program.
In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government allocated $2 billion over seven years to support the production of renewable fuels. In addition, since coming to office this government has announced $500 million to assist farmers and rural communities to seize new market opportunities in the bio-economy through biofuels and bio-products initiatives.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, Ontario 613-759-7972 1-866-345-7972
Ted Yeomans Press Secretary Minister Strahl's Office 613-759-1059
Tom Switzer Executive Director, ACAAF and BOPI Agriculture and Food Council Phone Toll-Free: 1-866-955-3714 ext. 226
BACKGROUNDER
Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative Funds Five Alberta Projects
The Government of Canada is committed to requiring 5 percent average renewable fuel content in transportation fuels by 2010 and intends to regulate a 2 percent requirement for renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil by 2012. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) wants to ensure that these targets are implemented in ways that result in the greatest possible benefit to the agricultural sector, including ownership of biofuels production facilities by agricultural producers.
The Biofuels Opportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI), which is delivered through the industry councils in each province/territory that administer AAFC's Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Program, was developed to help meet this goal. Individual project funding is capped at $300,000 and at least 25 percent of the project cost must be provided by the industry, of which one third must come from producers.
BOPI funding totalling $1,048,510 is being provided through the Agriculture and Food Council (AFC) to five southern Alberta biofuels projects including:
Opportunities for greater involvement in biofuels production facilities allow agricultural producers to become participants in the value chain and increase their share of the benefits from renewable fuels production beyond delivering feedstock.
For more information on BOPI, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/bopi.
For more information on the Agriculture and Food Council, please visit www.agfoodcouncil.com or call 1-866-955-3714 ext. 226.
