Biofuels association applauds new Canadian agri-framework

Canada saw the official launch of the Growing Forward 2 (GF2) policy framework for Canada's agricultural and agri-food sector this April.

And the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) has applauded this launch as ‘good news’ for its industry and for the farmers who work closely with biofuels producers.

GF2 is a CN$3 billion (€2.2 billion) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments and the foundation for government agricultural programs and services over the next five years.

The framework will focus on innovation, competitiveness and market development to ensure Canadian producers and processors have the tools and resources they need to continue to capitalise on emerging market opportunities.

‘Farmers across the country are clear winners with increased production and promotion of domestic renewable fuels,’ says CRFA president W. Scott Thurlow. ‘Our members are taking the platform created by ethanol and biodiesel technology and using it to develop fuels, plus value-added agricultural and chemical products, from a growing range of biomass. Programmes like GF2 will help build-out this platform.’

In addition, GF2 includes a suite of business risk management programmes to help farmers in managing risk due to severe market volatility and disaster situations. Governments will also assist the industry in its efforts to research, develop and implement new agricultural risk management tools.