"Healthy Animal" Youth Contest Launched

"Healthy Animal" Youth Contest Launched In Support Of National 4-H Month

OTTAWA, November 1, 2010 - The Government of Canada is proud to promote November as "National 4-H Month", and encourages Canadians to show support for 4-H by wearing green to mark "Show your Colours Day" on November 3. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will mark 4-H month by launching an animal biosecurity contest for 4-H club members and other like-minded Canadian youth.

"Reaching out to young people who are passionate about farming and agriculture is an investment in the future of agriculture," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "As a former 4-H'er, I know the positive role this organization plays in providing our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed not only in the agriculture sector, but in life."

The Canadian 4-H Council has a long history of attracting new farmers to agriculture, helping to develop responsible citizens, and building confidence in youth as they learn a wide variety of skills through hands-on projects. The online contest asks young people to come up with a slogan, a story or lyrics to a song that explain how to keep animals healthy. The winning submission could be used in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) advertisements and national campaigns to inspire others about biosecurity.

"Having healthy animals means healthy food, healthy people and a healthy agriculture industry," explains Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer of Canada and newly appointed Chief Food Safety Officer of Canada. "We challenge the young minds of today to explain to their peers across the nation that protecting animal health is important."

Contest information can be found online at www.inspection.gc.ca/biosecuritycontest. The Government of Canada and the Canadian 4-H Council encourage young people to learn all they can about biosecurity and step up to the challenge. The contest closes January 30, 2011.

"We are extremely proud of our long-standing partnership with the Government of Canada," said Judy Shaw, president of the Canadian 4-H Council. "Their help and support provides new and exciting opportunities for 4-H members across Canada to 'Learn to Do by Doing.' Whether it is national programs or club-level activities, support from the Government of Canada helps ensure that 4-H remains one of Canada's premier youth leadership organizations."

The Government of Canada has supported the Canadian 4-H Council since it was established in 1933. The Council organizes and coordinates national and international conferences, exchanges and scholarships which focus on leadership development, career choices such as agriculture, technology transfer and other pressing issues being faced by today's rural communities and their young people. Show Your 4-H Colours day is an opportunity for 4-H leaders, alumni and supporters to show their pride, spirit and enthusiasm for youth, agriculture, leadership and skills development.

To learn more about the Canadian 4-H Council, "Show Your 4-H Colours" day and National 4-H Month activities, visit www.4-h-canada.ca. For more information about Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada programs and services that support young farmers, visit www.agr.gc.ca/youngfarmers.

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For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations: 613-773-6600

Ken Lancastle
Canadian 4-H Council/Canadian 4-H Foundation
613-234-4448 ext. 27