Grape Growers of Ontario

February 8, 2008

Grape Growers of Ontario Receive Welcome News - Transition Program Comes to Fruition

St. Catharines, ON: Today’s announcement by Niagara West-Glanbrook MP, Dean Allison, on behalf of Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, regarding an Orchard and Vineyard Transition Program in the amount of $22.3 million, over 4 years, for grape, tender fruit and apple growers in Ontario is welcome news.

Bill George Jr., Chair of the Grape Growers of Ontario comments that “today’s announcement by the federal government provides assistance to our beleaguered juice grape growers and supports our wine grape growers over the next four years. We are also provided with the opportunity to work with the Government of Ontario to develop future strategic directions and market initiatives for our industry such as a varietal plan and CAIS program changes.” Bill George Jr. goes on to say, “We thank the Government of Canada and Niagara MPs – Minister Rob Nicholson, Dean Allison and Rick Dykstra and the Government of Ontario and Niagara MPPs – Minister Jim Bradley and Kim Craitor for their efforts in bringing today’s announcement to fruition.”

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario said, “Over the past few years grape growers in Ontario have been faced with low market prices, increased foreign competition, a declining juice grape market and a juice grape plant closure. After approximately 3 years of lobbying for a transition program, the assistance announced today will help to support the development of our industry.” Debbie Zimmerman further states that “we look forward to working with the Government of Ontario in building strategic directions in order to ensure a successful future for our growers and a sustainable future for our industry.”

This Transition Program will provide assistance to those juice grape growers who lost their juice grape processor last year and funding from the Province of Ontario will top up previous grower payments.

The Government of Canada’s Orchard and Vineyard Transition Program matches investment made over the past few years such as the Government of Ontario’s Juice Grape Transition Program.

For more information contact:

Bill George Jr., Chair

Phone: 905-688-0990 ext. 224

Debbie Zimmerman, CEO

Phone: 905-688-0990 ext. 225

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