Released on September 23, 2016
Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart has proclaimed September 26 to October 2, as Biotech Week in Saskatchewan, an observance aimed at celebrating scientific achievements and raising awareness of the importance of biotechnology.
“Saskatchewan farmers are leaders in agricultural production in part because of advances in biotechnology, which has led to hardier, higher-yielding crops,” Stewart said. “Our province is a leader in agricultural biotechnology research, with about a third of Canada’s agricultural bioscience industry located here. Biotech Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the value of biotechnology not only to agriculture and other sectors, but also to our economy.”
This year, provincial and national biotech weeks coincide with a new initiative, Global Biotech Week. Saskatchewan activities are co-ordinated by Ag-West Bio, the province’s bioscience industry association, and include several events in Regina and Saskatoon.
“We want people to recognize the technologies and advancements made possible through biotechnology, whether it’s advancements in crop productivity, benefits to the environment, development of vaccines or even the role of science in brewing beer,” Ag-West Bio President and CEO Wilf Keller said. “Biotech Week raises public awareness while highlighting the excellent work of our bioscience industry.”
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to support agricultural innovation. This year, the Ministry of Agriculture has committed $26.8 million to agriculture research.
For a full list of Biotech Week activities in Saskatchewan, see the Ag-West Bio website at http://www.agwest.sk.ca/events.html.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Angela Hall
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: angela.hall@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4199