SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, March 19, 2009 - The Government of Canada is investing in the pulse industry so that farmers can harness new market opportunities and boost their bottom line. MP Kelly Block (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar) and MP Brad Trost (Saskatoon-Humboldt) today announced $5.3 million for the Pulse Research Network (PURENet) to create new economic opportunities in rural Canada.

"Our Government knows that Canadian farmers are the backbone of our economy and that it's especially important during this time of economic instability to help them succeed," said MP Trost, who made the announcement on behalf of Federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz. "This initiative will explore new health benefits of pulses to create new and value added-markets, which will help farmers improve their bottom line and boost the economy."

Pulses are the edible seeds of legumes, such as peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils. The network will focus on developing new products from pulses, creating more sustainable and environmentally-friendly crops, and developing healthier pulses that can be used in the food and nutraceuticals industry. Canadian farmers have quadrupled pulse production in less than 20 years, and pulse exports have increased by more than five times, with a value of more than $1 billion.

"It's not surprising that Canada leads in both pulse production and exports," said MP Block. "This kind of agricultural innovation will continue to help the pulse industry grow, will help Canadian agriculture grow, and will help the Canadian economy grow domestically and abroad."

Led by Pulse Canada and managed by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, PURENet is made up of about 50 scientists, researchers and industry experts, including those from the University of Toronto, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Manitoba, the University of Alberta, the Canadian International Grains Institute, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Saskatchewan Research Council.

"Not only is the health and nutrition potential of Canadian pulses enormous, pulses are grown in such a way that they make a positive contribution to the environment," said David Nobbs, Vice Chair of Pulse Canada. "The goal of PURENet is to provide innovative solutions for using pulses to develop value-added food, feed and industrial bioproducts that meet market demands for healthy, environmentally-friendly products."

For additional information about ABIP, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/abip.