Saskatchewan, March 24, 2011 - Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud and Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards (PCAB) Chairman Alex Mitchell announced a new Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project. Over $200,000 is being invested in this one-year pilot project to help Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers recycle up to 2,000 tonnes of agricultural plastic, including grain bags and twine.

"Our Government will continue to put farmers first in all of our policy decisions because we understand their importance to the economy, their value to our food supply and their commitment to a sustainable environment," said Ritz. "The federal Government is proud to support the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project which will benefit future generations of farm families."

"Grain bags are becoming an increasingly popular method of grain storage for Saskatchewan farmers," Bjornerud said. "These pilot projects will help to address the challenge of disposing these grain bags in an environmentally responsible method."

This initiative includes up to six separate pilot projects throughout Saskatchewan. Each pilot project may include multiple collection sites. The Ministry of Agriculture will work with stakeholders to finalize locations. The pilot projects will be fully operational by July 2011. The plastics collected at the pilot project sites will be shipped to Calgary for recycling.

"Grain bags are a perfect example of Saskatchewan farmers leading the way in adapting new technologies," Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan President Greg Marshall said. "This new pilot project is a vital next step to ensuring producers can properly dispose of their used grain bags."

The federal and provincial governments are providing $160,000 for the Grain Bag Recycling Pilot Project through the federal-provincial Growing Forward framework. PCAB is providing $50,000 and will administer the project.

"We are pleased to work in partnership with both levels of government on this project," Mitchell said. "This is an important initiative that will help farmers deal with grain bag disposal."

PCAB is a non-profit agriculture organization focusing on timely, effective delivery of agricultural programs to Saskatchewan producers. PCAB currently delivers the Canada-Saskatchewan Farm Stewardship Program and the Canada-Saskatchewan Environmental Farm Plan Program.

For more information, producers can contact PCAB toll-free at 1-866-298-7222.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Patrick Boyle, Agriculture
Téléphone : 306-787-2359
Courriel : Patrick.Boyle@gov.sk.ca

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