Scott, Saskatchewan, July 16, 2010 - Today, Canadian mustard seed producers received a boost from the Government of Canada as Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz attended the Centennial celebrations of the Scott Research farm and announced that Mustard 21 Canada will receive up to $4 million to develop new varieties of mustard seed and new market opportunities for farmers.

"This investment will help unlock the potential of mustard seed, finding new ways to use it beyond the hamburger, and expanding markets for our farmers," said Minister Ritz. "I am pleased to be here at the Scott Research Farm as it celebrates its 100 years of agricultural research to highlight how targeted investments in research and innovation can build strong, value-added opportunities for farmers and the entire agricultural sector."

Canada is the largest exporter of mustard seed in the world and this research will encourage more producers to grow it by increasing yields and developing new mustard-based products beyond the condiment market. Researchers will examine the potential use of mustard as a natural preservative, as a biopesticide for pest control in turf and ornamental plants and as an industrial feedstock for high-value applications such as biodiesel additives or biolubricants.

"The support from the Government of Canada for the 'Innovate Mustards' project is vital to Mustard 21 Canada Inc.'s implementation of its key strategic priorities," said Dr. Pete Desai, President of Mustard 21 Canada Inc. "These priorities include developing competitive crops through better varieties and weed control to maintain the Canadian production advantage in the global markets as well as creating new domestic value added products from mustard."

This investment is being delivered through the Agri-Innovations program, a $158 million five-year program that promotes industry-led innovation initiatives that help get new agricultural products into the marketplace and improve agricultural processes.

In addition to this program, Canada's Economic Action Plan supports agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening the economy, preparing to pay down the deficit when the time is right, and creating and protecting Canadian jobs, now and in the future.

For more information on Developing Innovative Agri-Products please visit www.agr.gc.ca (under Growing Forward, Science).