News Release

May 2, 2007
For Immediate Release

Minister Strahl makes spring much brighter

GUELPH - Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Strahl made spring much brighter
for a lot of Canadian farmers when he announced Monday, May 1, that the $400
million in cost-of-production payments will begin to flow to eligible
farmers next month. "News like this makes it more worthwhile to climb onto
the tractor for spring planting," says Geri Kamenz, President of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

OFA has been urging governments to move this money, part of the Federal
Government's $1 billion budget announcement earlier this year, to farmers as
quickly as possible. "We have earlier bills to pay and planting expenses to
add to that stack. This announcement by Minister Strahl could not have come
at a better time," Kamenz says.

"Our next challenge will be to get Provincial OMAFRA Minister Dombrowsky to
announce that Ontario will be adding its 40 per cent contribution to the
payment," Kamenz says. It is estimated the federal share for Ontario farmers
will be in the range of $70 million to $75 million. Ontario's payment should
be approximately $46 million.

In his announcement, Minister Strahl acknowledged the financial burden on
farmers of rising production costs. He reminded us the budget also provides
up to $100 million annually to be paid to producers to address increasing
production costs, Kamenz notes.

Producers of non-supply managed commodities for tax purposes for 2004 are
eligible for the payment. New producers of non-supply managed commodities
reporting farm income for the first time in 2005 or 2006 are also eligible.
Those who provided 2004 farming income and expense information for the CAIS
program do not need to apply. Producers who didn't provide their 2004
farming income and expense for CAIS, or producers who began farming after
2004, are eligible but must send in an application.

The deadline to apply for the payment is September 1, 2007. More details of
the payment can be obtained by calling 1-866-367-8506 or on the AAFC website
www.agr.gc.ca/cop .

"OFA is pleased Minister Strahl and his department recognized the needs of
farmers and have responded so quickly," Kamenz said.

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Contact: Geri Kamenz, 613-720-2435; Bette Jean Crews, 613-921-0597;
Paul Mistele, 519-614-4614