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Ag-biotech

Ag-Biotech

Our Work in the Field Stands Out

Canada is a global leader in the agro-food sector, with one of the highest activity rates for firms in agro-food applications among the OECD countries (28%). Canadian firms’ revenues exceed those of US agro-based companies and are more than double those of Japan and the UK.

The results are not surprising given that:

  • Between 2002 and 2005, the number of hectares planted with genetically-modified (GM) crops increased by 53% in Canada , compared with 28% in the US.
  • Canada has the highest intensity for field trials of specific traits of new GM plant varieties.
  • The share of all domestic field trials for agronomic traits has increased the most in Canada at 22% vs. 17% in the US in 2005.

Canadian Areas of Agri-Excellence

  • Plant Biotechnology: tissue culture, embryogenesis, genetic markers, genetic engineering
  • Animal Biotechnology: diagnostics, therapeutics, embryo transplantation, genetic markers, genetic engineering
  • Non-food Agriculture: fuels, lubricants, commodity and fine chemical feedstocks, cosmetics

Regions of Excellence

Saskatoon

One of the world’s leading centres for bio-agriculture, Saskatoon is among the world's most dynamic locations for innovation and commercialization of bio-based sciences. The National Research Council’s Plant Biotechnology Institute offers companies a full range of services including access to laboratory space and leading-edge genomics equipment. Its partnership program incubates businesses during the critical early years of development, ensuring a firm foundation of technology and business expertise.

Home to more than 40 companies engaged in groundbreaking agricultural biotechnology R&D — 30 percent of Canada 's activity in the field — the Saskatoon cluster is using its unique technology experience and commercialization skills to diversify into rapidly expanding markets for functional foods, nutraceuticals and industrial bioproducts. The cluster has nurtured North America 's largest legume and cereal microbial innoculant manufacturing centres, and ranks as one of the most competitive cities in the world for food processing. Annual revenues from the cluster total nearly $60 million.

Learn more: Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, Strategis

Ontario

Canada’s Advanced Foods and Materials Network (AFMNET), part of the national Networks of Centres of Excellence, fosters partnerships with 87 Canadian researchers specializing in subject areas including functional foods, nutraceuticals, bio-materials, genetics and its social aspects such as law and ethics. AFMNET is contributing $15 million to 20 collaborative projects across Canada in 2006-07 which will spill over into industry as technology transfer is a key goal.

Guelph Food Technology Center: a globally recognized organization delivering innovative technology, training and quality systems solutions that enable agri-food companies to capture market opportunities.

Québec

Agriculture and Agri-Food Reference Centre (French): To enhance productivity and innovation, the centre maintains a large collection of documentation related to the industry generated by its network of 675 expert members.

Cintech Agroalimentaire: This non-profit industrial research centre provides professional support for technological innovation from conception to marketing of agri-food products, offering complete labs for R&D, analysis, pilot scale plant, sensory evaluation and experimental cuisine. Firms can benefit from a 40% tax credit for admissible costs related to technological adaptation.

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Institute: Part of Laval University , more than 60 scientists lead research projects in fields such as human nutrition, dietetic, genomic, proteomic, plant and animal physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, pharmacognosy, microbiology, food technology and economics.

Quebec Institute for Agri-food Technology (French): Comprised of Quebec’s three agri-food campuses, the institute provides specialized agri-food related training that is highly praised by industry and acts as a catalyst for technology transfers.

Research and Development Institute for the Agri-Environment: A non-profit research group that mobitilizes a network of researchers from government, universities and industry.

Supportive Sources of Industry Inspiration

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) operates 19 Centres of Excellence across Canada that work closely with industry on projects that benefit Canada ’s agri-food sector. These centres attract clusters of industrial development.

The Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program is a five-year, $240 million program aimed at positioning Canada 's agriculture and agri-food sector at the leading edge to seize new opportunities.

AAFC also operates the Food Research Program, the entry door for the Matching Investment Initiative Program which can match up to one-for-one industry R&D contributions to collaborative research projects in areas including bio-ingredients.