Governments investing $7 million in meat processing capacity in Ontario
November 16, 2021 | By Maryam Farag
The governments of Canada and Ontario are committing up to $7 million to increase processing capacity in meat processing plants across the province.
This initiative builds on the $7.2 million invested last year through the first intake.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the second intake of the Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide up to $150,000 per project. The intake will open for applications on November 19.
“The pandemic has highlighted some of the vulnerabilities in our sector, including the need to increase processing capacity,” says Carol Goriup, President, Meat & Poultry Ontario. “This funding demonstrates our governments’ commitment to providing solutions that will help move the industry forward. We thank the federal and provincial governments for their continued partnership and this crucial funding that will help our sector invest in solutions that will benefit both processors and consumers.”
The Meat Processors Capacity Improvement Initiative will provide funding for eligible free-standing meat plants and abattoirs to implement measures that will improve efficiency and productivity through short-term investments in equipment. Eligible project costs can be incurred as of November 12, 2021. Eligible projects must be completed with equipment delivered by March 21, 2022. Recipients will have until June 30, 2022 to have their equipment installed.
“The lack of sufficient processing capacity in Ontario has been a limiting factor to a healthy competitive market for the province’s beef sector,” said Rob Lipsett, President, Beef Farmers of Ontario. “The first intake of the Meat Processing Capacity Improvement Initiative was fully subscribed, which speaks to its critical value to the livestock processing sector. We are grateful for the continued investment by both levels of government to support this initiative, which in turn, will help position our sector to better meet the demands for Ontario beef at home and abroad.”
