Helping Flower Growers Improve Their Environmental Performance

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO – Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay announced today a $400,000 investment with Flowers Canada (Ontario) to help greenhouse farmers introduce cost-effective waste water treatment systems.

Developing and adapting on-farm waste water treatment systems is a top priority for the ornamental horticulture sector and this investment will help growers minimize the amount of pollutants (nitrogen, phosphorus and solids) in runoff water from greenhouses and nurseries.

Quick facts

• In 2014, farm cash receipts of the ornamental horticulture sector were approximately $1.8 billion, with about $366 million in exports.
• Experimental water treatment systems will be tested on four farms in the Lake Simcoe and Niagara peninsula regions to test for residual pollutants in runoff water.
• Flowers Canada (Ontario) represents 250 provincial members, including distributors, importers-exporters of cut flowers and potted plants.
• This investment is being made through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), a five-year $50.3 million program that ends in 2019.

Quotes

"Canada's horticulture sector contributes significantly to the country's economy. This investment will help the floriculture industry develop a range of innovative options to help greenhouse operators effectively manage waste water and improve their environmental sustainability."

– Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"This project represents an incredible collaboration between the private sector and government, working together to promote environmental sustainability in ornamental horticulture. Our members are engaged in developing new and innovative solutions for increasing water use efficiency on our farms. We are very excited about the outcomes of this project and appreciate the support."

– Andy Kuyvenhoven – President, Flowers Canada Growers Inc.

Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada