(OTTAWA) – The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has released a new document that builds on current proposals for a national biofuels strategy. “From Farm to Fuel: Towards a Canadian biofuels strategy” contains proposals that would help ensure Canadian farmers reap the financial benefits of a Canadian biofuels industry.

On July 25, 2006, CFA offered praise for many of the components in the biofuels proposal released by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA). However CFA members felt the CRFA plan was missing several vital components which would ensure Canadian farmers are active participants in, and beneficiaries of, a Canadian biofuels industry.

“From Farm to Fuel fills in the gaps. Partnered with the proposals of other stakeholder groups we now have a well-rounded vision for all partners in the biofuels value chain to move forward with – a complete plan that takes into account the interests of all industry partners and ensures the benefits will remain here at home in Canada,” said Bob Friesen, CFA President.

All components must be designed together to work together. If not done properly a biofuels strategy may inadvertently distort markets and reduce the competitiveness of the livestock sector. CFA’s proposal contributes three specific proposals for a Canadian biofuels strategy:

1) Strong primary research: greater resources for research to ensure Canadian feedstock is competitive in terms of productivity and quality.

2) Continual extension and technology transfer: initiatives to assist Canadian farmers in innovating and increasing productivity and efficiency by ensuring producers are given the latest information on technological advances and assistance in integrating new feedstock and biofuels technologies into their businesses.

3) Competitiveness programs for domestic feedstock: the United States directly subsidizes its grains and oilseeds industries – the biofuels feedstocks. Canada needs a Competitiveness Policy with incentives to provide Canadian producers with competitive parity to U.S. programs.

“With these additional components we will ensure the strength of a Canadian domestic industry. Canadian farmers will prosper and we will not end up outsourcing our biofuels industry to the United States,” said Friesen.

-30-

Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.