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Alberta Party releases agriculture platform

Apr 8, 2019 | 11:43 AM

LEDUC, AB — The Alberta Party announced a platform for agriculture and agri-food processing during a campaign stop in Edmonton on Monday.

Party leader Stephen Mandel says, if elected, the party would modernize the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, and create a new innovation institute focused on reaching export markets for agriculture products.

“Albertans are deeply proud of what we grow and make in our province,” Mandel said in a statement. “The agriculture sector has huge growth potential for our province. We must support farmers with smart government support. Changing the way we grow, raise, process and sell our agricultural products will create a healthier environment, and a stronger economy.”

The statement on the platform was sent to media outlets, including CHAT News, on Monday.

The Alberta Party’s platform includes establishing the Alberta Agriculture Innovation Fund under the Alberta Innovates program, with $100 million in annual funding beginning in 2019-20. The fund will support agricultural research and provide funding to industry-led projects.

The party has also proposed reviewing the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation “to provide better service to farmers including developing succession planning programs to transition enterprises to a new generation of farmers entering the industry,” the platform reads. The review would also look at the possibility of expanding service offerings from the corporation to include agriculture innovations, such as new and non-traditional livestock and crops.

The party has also pledged to make updates to Bill 6, specifically adding special rules and exemptions to small farms, and have also said if elected, they will appoint a Bee Protection Task Force to help ensure bee populations in the province remain healthy.