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MP Rob Moore recently announced $463,680 in federal funding to help tree fruit and grape growers meet new market demands.

"Our government is listening to farmers from coast to coast and delivering the help they need, when they need it," he said during the announcement.

"New Brunswick's tree fruit and grape industries are changing their operations to stay competitive, and our government is supporting them through that transition."

Federal funding of $463,680 is being made available under the Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program in New Brunswick and is designed to assist producers in the removal of fruit trees and vines and to help industry organizations develop strategic commodity plans.

The Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program (OVTP), which runs until March 31, 2011, will allow New Brunswick tree fruit and grape growers to apply for funding to help cover some of the costs associated with removing fruit trees or vines, and for industry associations to develop strategic commodity plans.

In order to be eligible, producers who participate in the OVTP will need an orchard or vineyard that is a minimum 0.25 hectares in size, and will have to commit to keeping the land in agriculture or available to agriculture for five years.

Eligible producers who have removed fruit trees or vines as of October 25, 2007 or later, will receive financial assistance of up to $4,000 per hectare to cover some of the costs of removing plant stock.

Of the $463,680 in federal funds, up to $19,200 will be available to industry associations to develop strategic commodity plans.

The New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture will deliver the program.

New Brunswick is one of five apple producing provinces in Canada and last year produced 300,000 bushels.

The local industry is made up of 27 growers with an estimated 300 hectares of apples.

The McIntosh variety makes up half of the province's apple production. The Cortland accounts for 25 per cent of production and the Paula Red about 7 per cent.

The newer Honeycrisp variety makes up about 3.5 per cent. The remaining 15 per cent is made up of a mix of varieties.

The grape growing industry in New Brunswick is in its infancy.

The development of winter-hardy rootstock has led to increased interest in grape production in the province.

Currently there are 30 members in the New Brunswick Grape Growers Association (NBGGA), growing both white and red grape varieties on 30 hectares.

Most of the growers are located in microclimates in the area north of Moncton along the Northumberland Strait and in the southwest region between Moncton and Saint John along the Bay of Fundy, with a few other members located south of Fredericton.

For further information on the Canada-New Brunswick Orchards and Vineyards Transition Program, please visit the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture's website at www.gnb.ca/agriculture, or call 1-506-453-2108.