Canada-Ontario SRM Management Program

On July 12, 2007, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) implemented new federal feed regulations as part of the efforts to eliminate Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) from the Canadian cattle population.

The Canada-Ontario SRM Management Program (the "Program") is a federal/provincial initiative intended to assist Ontario industries prepare to meet the requirements of the new feed regulations. The program objectives are to assist beef processors and related animal waste disposal industries to:

1. Develop a system or systems of managing Specified Risk Material (SRM) safely in accordance with relevant federal and provincial legislative and regulatory requirements.
   
   
2. Adapt to the permanent change in the economics of cattle and other ruminant animal production.
   
   
3. Maintain domestic and international confidence in the BSE risk mitigation measures that Canada has undertaken.

There are two components to the Canada-Ontario SRM Management Program, the first component is targeted at SRM disposal and the second component is targeted for abattoir assistance.

SRM Disposal

Funding will be available to assist eligible applicants who implement projects that address one or more of the following priority areas:

1. Develop or improve disposal capacity for SRM in compliance with the relevant federal and provincial legislation. Disposal options include:
   
   a) Effective containment (permanent or temporary), or
   b) Processing by a method which meets the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's "Baseline     Parameters for the Reduction of BSE Infectivity".
   
   
2. Establish suitable transportation and handling systems for SRM from abattoirs to disposal facilities.
   
   

3. Validation testing of technologies to demonstrate the reduction of BSE infectivity.

4. Feasibility analysis of disposal solutions to meet the needs of industry.
   
   
5. Investigate opportunities to find value in SRM such as through the generation of energy or marketing of by-products.
   

Funding allocated under this component of the Program will be based on a competitive, merit-based system. The project proposals will be evaluated based on Ontario's needs. The Ontario Government understands that while there is a need for long-term, sustainable solutions to manage SRM, there is an immediate need for the development and implementation of short-term solutions.

Application deadline for SRM Disposal was: Monday, April 30, 2007

SRM Abattoir Assistance

This component is targeted at abattoirs that will require investment in equipment and facilities to assist with separation and segregated handling of SRM or for onsite containment/destruction. Abattoir solutions must meet CFIA regulatory requirements for SRM management. Funds will be allocated up to a maximum amount per facility based on abattoir SRM volumes, please see the Program Guidelines for further details.

Application deadline for SRM Abattoir Assistance: Friday, December 28, 2007.

For both components, OMAFRA will reimburse up to 75% of an applicant's eligible costs. The number of applications and funds requested under both components may limit the funds awarded to individual applicants. Payments will be made based on proof of project completion as outlined in the Guidelines.

For copies of the Canada-Ontario SRM Management Program application forms and guidelines, or any questions concerning these programs, please contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) toll-free at 1-866-641-3663; or e-mail: SRM.omafra@ontario.ca.

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