March 18, 2009 (Winnipeg, MB)- The Government of Canada is investing in the hemp and flax industry so that farmers can harness new opportunities and access new value added markets. The Honourable Vic Toews, Member of Parliament for Provencher and President of the Treasury Board, today announced a $9.6 million investment in the Natural Fibres for the Green Economy Network (NAFGEN).

Led by Flax Canada 2015 Inc., NAFGEN is a multidisciplinary network that brings together Canada's top researchers, industry and producers to help create additional profitable natural fibre-based industrial value chains by improving varieties, technologies and processes, and by improving products made out of the natural fibres.

"NAFGEN's networking approach is significant in that through collaboration of government, university and corporate research facilities and scientists their strengths and specialities are combined," said Barry Hall, President, Flax Canada 2015 Inc. "Working as a team affords the best opportunity for the industry to develop new and improved technology and products for both flax and hemp fibre, thereby enhancing the value of these two crops.

Funding for this project is being provided through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program (ABIP), a federal funding program designed to integrate Canada's talent from universities, industry and government in order to stimulate creativity, leverage resources, reduce costs and accelerate progress towards commercialization of bioproducts and bioprocesses.

Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission is a member of the NAFGEN Steering Committee and is active on several related projects. For example, SaskFlax recently completed Phase 1 of the Sustainability Visioning Project for the Canadian Flax Industry, which aims to create a sustainable development strategy for the industry. In addition, Crop Fibers Canada, a SaskFlax subsidiary, has completed the initial testing required to produce fiber from field-retted flax straw.

“SaskFlax is glad to be working with our partners across Canada to achieve the goal of complete plant utilization and increase net returns to flax producers,” said Linda Braun, SaskFlax Executive Director.

For more information, contact:

Linda Braun, Executive Director
Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission
Saskatoon, SK
Tel. 306-664-1901
Email: saskflax@saskflax.com