Government of Canada helps farmers by investing in slaughterhouse improvements

June 05, 2009

OTTAWA, Ontario, June 5, 2009 – The Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan is supporting the livestock sector by making meat packing and processing facilities more competitive and accessible to farmers across the country. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz along with Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre Blackburn today announced that the three-year, $50-million Slaughter Improvement Program is now in place and will soon be accepting applications.

"Our Government’s Economic Action Plan puts Farmers First in these difficult economic times," said Minister Ritz. "By improving processing, we’re helping to help create a greater demand for livestock and better prices for farmers."

"This program delivers on a promise in Canada’s Economic Action Plan to Canada’s meat packers and processors," said Minister Blackburn. "We are addressing regional gaps in this sector by providing new marketing options and lower transportation costs in areas where limited access to meat packing and processing facilities is affecting the growth of the sector."

The program will make federal repayable contributions available to support investments made by the private sector and other levels of government in sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of meat packing and processing operations in Canada. Investing in a stronger meat packing and processing industry in Canada benefits the entire value chain and leads to a more profitable and competitive industry and a stronger economy.

Meat processing is responsible for $20.5 billion in annual sales for Canadian livestock farmers.

Details of this program will be published in coming weeks and application forms will be available by the end of June. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.