October 27, 2005
Projects will further protect the environment
The McGuinty government is helping farmers further protect the environment and our water supply by providing additional funding under the Nutrient Management Financial Assistance Program (NMFAP), Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky announced today.
“Agriculture is an integral part of our province’s economic strength,” said Dombrowsky. “By giving further assistance to our farmers, we are helping them to be strong and prosperous, and we are protecting our vital water supply for future generations.”
The government is providing an additional $3.7 million under the program to help farmers make environmental improvements on their operations and meet the requirements of the Nutrient Management Act. These additional dollars mean that all eligible applicants will receive funding to help with nutrient management projects.
The program provides up to 60 per cent of the funds. When combined with financial assistance available from the federal government under the Agricultural Policy Framework, up to 90 per cent of a farmer's total costs could be covered.
Cheques covering the provincial portion of completed projects will be issued this week. Letters of approval for other applicants will also be issued as soon as possible.
“The large number of applications received for the NMFAP by the September 1 application deadline speaks to the commitment of producers to environmental stewardship,” said Ron Bonnett, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “The government’s funding, together with the commitment of Ontario’s farmers, will serve to better protect the environment for all Ontarians now and in the future.”
This program, combined with other projects and practices Ontario farmers have implemented over the years, has reduced the risk to our water by ensuring the proper management of more than 4.2 billion litres of liquid animal waste and more than 740,000 tonnes of solid animal waste each year.
