This is to increase productivity and efficiency as well as maintain high food safety standards
The governments of Canada and Ontario are set to invest more than $13 million to help the meat processing sector in the province to make upgrades that they need.
The investment will be made through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments worth $3.5 billion, which will help free-standing meat processors and abattoirs in Ontario increase their productivity and efficiency as well as maintain high food safety standards.
“There is a growing demand for the high-quality products we produce and process across Canada,” said Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.
“This funding through Sustainable CAP will help the meat processing industry in Ontario access new technologies and equipment to increase production and meet that demand,” he added.
The cost-shared funding will be supporting 151 projects which focused on upgrading meat handling and processing equipment, technologies and practices that improve the capacity of production, and enhance the competition among meat processing plants and abattoirs in Ontario.
“The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative (MPCII) is a prime example of how our government is making the right investments in the right places,” said Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson.
Some of the investments made through the MPCII involves $140,112 to Penokean Hills Farms in Bruce Mines, $150,000 to Sikorski Sausages in London, and $19,461.60 to Townsend Butchers in Simcoe. The initiative will also be covering training and engineering costs that come with the completion of the projects.
“By supporting meat processors who are working to improve efficiencies and increase capacity, we’re ensuring that Ontario’s meat processing sector can compete globally and opening doors to new opportunities,” said Thompson.
All projects are expected to be completed with equipment set to be delivered on March 1.
The Sustainable CAP aims to strengthen competition, innovation, and resiliency within the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector.
