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LETTERS OF
CONGRATULATIONS
Message fromthe AGRICULTUREminister – GOVERNMENTOF CANADA
CONGRATULATIONS TOTHE ALBERTA
Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley
on the launch of
GrainsWest
magazine.
Leading the country in barley production,
and home to one-third of Western
Canada’s wheat, the Alberta grain
industry is an economic driver, bringing
$2.5 billion to the farmgate and generating
$2.3 billion in exports. And the future is
filledwith new opportunities for Alberta
wheat and barley producers, including
Canada’s historic trade agreement in
principle with the European Union, which
will open up a market of half a billion
consumers, eliminating tariffs on our
wheat and barley of up to $190 a tonne.
To give farmers themarketing tools they
need to compete, the Harper government
delivered on its commitment to an
open grainmarket inWestern Canada.
Marketing freedomhas re-energized
and revitalized theWestern Canadian
grains industry. Newproducer-driven
organizations like the AlbertaWheat
Commission are taking shape to provide
the leadership needed to improve the
competitiveness and profitability of the
industry. The time couldn’t be better
to foster stronger communications and
information-sharing across the industry.
Together with producers, our
Message fromthe AGRICULTUREMINISTER – Governmentof Alberta
CONGRATULATIONS TOTHE STAFF
of
GrainsWest
magazine on the
publication of your first edition.
Agriculture is part of the foundation of
our province, and Alberta is blessed with
some of the best and most innovative
producers in the world. This magazine
will be an important venue to help our
producers stay informed about the latest
trends and developments in the grain
industry. The ongoing success of our
agriculture sector is dependent on our
ability to share ideas, adopt innovative
new approaches to farming and adapt to
changes in the marketplace.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to thank Alberta Barley
and the Alberta Wheat Commission for
supporting this magazine and for all of
their efforts on behalf of our province’s
grain producers. The commissions are
a strong voice for their memberships
and provide valuable support to help
advance the grain industry through
research and market development.
Best wishes to the publishers of
GrainsWest
magazine and to our
producers for a successful and
productive year.
Verlyn Olson,
QC
Minister of Alberta Agriculture
and Rural Development
government will continue to build a
modern, competitive and profitable grain
industry in Alberta and across Canada
through our aggressive trade agenda,
Canadian Grain Commission reform,
supply chain improvements and strategic
investments in innovation under Growing
Forward 2. I’m very optimistic about the
future of the grain industry and Canadian
agriculture overall.
The time is right for the industry to
capture new opportunities in burgeoning
markets that are looking for healthy,
nutritious food. I have no doubt this
publication will be a strong voice in
agriculture and spark constructive
dialogue to help the industry unlock its full
economic potential.
Congratulations and I look forward to
reading your first issue!
Gerry Ritz,
PC, MP
Minister of Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada
Winter
2014
Grains
West
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