Meat Plant Assistance Program
Questions and Answers

Meat Plant Assistance Program - Questions and Answers

Q1. How do I apply for the Meat Plant Assistance Program?
A1. Application forms for the Meat Plant Assistance Program are available by calling
1-866-641-3663 or by emailing FSI.omafra@ontario.ca . You are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible, however there are specific application deadlines for each type of meat processor.

Q2. Who is eligible for the program?
A2. The following meat processors are eligible for funding:

• Slaughter plants (abattoirs) that are or will be subject to the new meat regulation (Ontario Regulation 31/05) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001.
• Free-standing meat plants (FSMPs) that have been continuously in the business of processing meat (including seasonal operations) since February 10, 2005, and are subject to, or will be subject to, the new meat regulation (Ontario Regulation 31/05) under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001.

Q3. What will the program pay for?
A3. The purpose of the program is to assist slaughter plants (abattoirs) and free-standing meat plants in Ontario with costs associated with meeting the new meat regulation, Ontario Regulation 31/05 under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001.

Items that are eligible and ineligible for cost-sharing are listed in the Schedules of the Program Guidelines. Eligible costs are those that are directly related to upgrades to meet the new meat regulation. The program will provide a total maximum provincial contribution of $25,000 per plant for upgrades to comply with the new meat regulation. This payment will be limited as follows:

• A maximum provincial cost-share level of 50% of eligible capital costs up to $25,000 per plant for expenditures to meet plant and equipment requirements of the new meat regulation, and
  
• A maximum provincial cost-share level of 75% of eligible non-capital costs up to $10,000 per plant for expenditures to meet non-capital requirements of the new meat regulation.

Q4. How often can I apply for the program?
A4. You can apply multiple times to the program. The payment limits apply to each meat plant.

Q5. What are the deadlines for applying?
A5. Applications will be accepted anytime up to the dates outlined in the following table, based on the type of meat plant. Applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

*2004 production volume

Q6. Do I have to incur the costs before I apply?
A6. You can apply before you incur the costs associated with the requirements of the new meat regulation. In this case, you would fill in your application with an estimated cost of each item.

Otherwise, you can apply after some or all costs have been incurred. In this case, you would fill in the application with the actual costs incurred. In either case, costs must be incurred after February 10, 2005, and before the deadlines for submitting receipts.

Q7. How will I know if I've been accepted, and how much funding I will receive?
A7. Once we receive your application and have processed it, you will be notified, in writing of your eligibility for the program. We will inform you of what costs are eligible for cost-sharing.

Q8. When will I receive my payment?
A8. Once we receive your application and have processed it, you will be notified in writing of your eligibility for the program. If you are eligible, you will receive an Agreement Letter which will outline the terms and conditions of the payment, including what costs are eligible for cost-sharing. You will be required to sign and return the Agreement letter.

You will then be required to submit documentation for costs incurred. Appropriate documentation for proof of payment will include receipts, copies of cancelled cheques, bank records, etc. Payment will be made based on the actual costs incurred and documentation submitted, subject to the payment limits for capital and non-capital costs.

Q9. How long will it take to receive my payment?
A9. Once we receive your documentation for eligible costs incurred, your payment will be processed as quickly as possible.

Q10. How do I know if the costs I incur are eligible?
A10. Eligible costs under the program are those directly related to the requirements of the new meat regulation, O. Reg 31/05 under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001. Schedules A and B of the Program Guidelines identify the eligible capital and non-capital costs. For further clarification, Schedule C lists ineligible costs.

Q11. Will all meat plants that apply receive funds?
A11. We are committed to working with the industry to ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory regime. Meat plants that apply for eligible expenses and meet all the requirements and obligations of the program will receive assistance.

Q12. What happens if a processor doesn't use grant money for its intended use?
A12. The ministry has processes and procedures in place to ensure funds are used as the recipients claimed. Recipients found to have breached the terms or conditions of the program will be required to return the grant money.

Q13. I am interested in re-opening an abattoir that is currently unlicensed. Am I eligible to apply to the program?
A13. Yes. You may apply and eligibility for assistance will be determined on a case-by- case basis dependent on the abattoir's specific situation.

Q14. I am interested in building a new abattoir. Am I eligible to apply to the program?
A14. Yes. You may apply and eligibility for assistance will be determined on a case-by- case basis dependent on the abattoir's specific situation.

Q15. Why does the program have a limit of $25,000?
A15. The program has a limit of $25,000 to allow all eligible meat processors access to the program funding.

Q16. Why are you paying 75% on non-capital costs, and only 50% on capital costs?
A16. The government's contribution in cost-share programs for capital expenditures has usually been up to 50%. To encourage earlier compliance with the requirements for non-capital items, the cost-share for non-capital expenditures under this program is set with a government contribution of up to 75% of eligible costs.

Q17. I am also expanding my operation as I upgrade to meet the new regulations, am I eligible?
A17. Costs related to expanding the operation are not eligible. Only items that are directly related to the requirements of the new meat regulation are eligible for cost-sharing under the program.

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