REGINA, Sask. — A Saskatchewan delegation headed to Ottawa earlier this week to discuss the provinces role in the future of Canadas renewable fuel industry with federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose.

The delegation was headed up by Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby.

“We are calling on Minister Ambrose to fulfil her Government’s commitment to have a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial governments to finalize Canada’s renewable fuels development package before the end of November 2006,” said Serby. “We will again offer Saskatchewan as a host location.”

Saskatchewan will continue to push for a 10% standard by 2010, for the federal government to separate ethanol from biodiesel and create separate mandates for each fuel.

Because the ethanol industry in Canada is further developed than the emerging biodiesel industry, ethanol proponents are in a better position to capture the market that will be created by a national mandate. A mandate which does not separate the two fuels could ultimately be captured by ethanol alone.

“If nurtured and provided the opportunity to grow, the biodiesel industry will create further markets for Saskatchewan’s oilseed producers and crushing facilities, stimulate the rural economy and help make life better for Saskatchewan families,” Serby noted.

The delegation is calling on the federal government to ensure primary producer and rural community-based participation in renewable fuel projects.