FREDERICTON (CNB) – The following statement was issued today by Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp on the occasion of Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, March 11-17:

The purpose of the Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is to promote the importance of safe farming practices.

The agriculture and agri-food industry is a cornerstone of the economy in New Brunswick and drives much of rural New Brunswick, directly affecting more than 14,000 jobs in the province.

It is important that primary producers, volunteers, commodity organizations and the provincial government recognize the importance of creating and maintaining a strong safety and health culture.

This year marks the final year in a three-year campaign, Plan – Farm – Safety, by the Canadian Safety Agricultural Association. The focus of this year's campaign is the assessment, improvement and further development of safety systems for Canadian farms.

I encourage New Brunswick farm owners and managers to develop an ongoing farm safety plan and to make risk assessment and worker safety a priority in all aspects of their business.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association co-ordinate Canadian Agricultural Safety Week in partnership with Farm Credit Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The New Brunswick Agricultural Alliance also actively supports the campaign.


08-03-12