September 9, 2010

Canada invests in agriculture research upgrade

The Canadian government is making investments to upgrade the Crops and Livestock Research Centre (CLRC), which will support research and the sustainability of agriculture.

The new CLRC will be used for advanced breeding work, pest-management techniques, and research and development of new crops with improved health benefits for functional food markets.

The government is also investing in new greenhouse facilities to help create jobs and contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture on Prince Edward Island.

Upgrades to federal laboratories are a key component of Canada's Economic Action Plan and the investments will improve research capabilities for the agriculture sector.

Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, reaffirmed the government's commitment to important upgrades to the CLRC in Harrington, Prince Edward Island.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the government has implemented an accelerated programme to invest a total of US$12 billion in improvements to federal infrastructure across Canada by 2011, including US$250 million for upgrades to federal laboratories.