For Release: February 24, 2005

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS FARMERS
Invests In Deadstock Collection, Increases Domestic Slaughter Capacity

TORONTO -The Ontario government is supporting farmers by providing further funding for deadstock collection and increasing domestic slaughter capacity, Agriculture and Food Minister Steve Peters announced today.

"A good deadstock collection system supports a healthy livestock industry, a healthy environment and healthy people," Peters said. "When combined with increased slaughter capacity for all animals, we are helping all ruminant livestock producers weather the BSE storm."

The Ontario Cattlemen's Association (OCA) will receive $4 million to maintain the deadstock collection system. In Ontario, an estimated 80,000 tonnes of deadstock are produced each year. Since the finding of BSE in a Canadian-born cow in May, 2003, cattle producers, deadstock collectors and the rendering and meat industries have been under serious financial pressures as a result of lost markets.

This funding is in addition to $1.3 million the OCA received for deadstock collection in February 2004, under the Ontario Cull Animal Strategy.

The province is also providing a total of $800,000 in funding under the third phase of the Mature Animal Abattoir Fund to help the livestock industry expand domestic slaughter capacity. St. Helen's Meat Packers Ltd. of Toronto and Abingdon Meat Packers Ltd. of Caistor Centre are both undertaking projects to increase lamb slaughter. Eric's Claybelt Abattoir in Timiskaming will increase cull cow slaughter in an under-serviced area of the province.

The goal of the $7 million fund is to expand Ontario's overall slaughter capacity for surplus mature cattle and other ruminant livestock to help reduce the backlog of these animals in the province. When these projects are fully implemented, Ontario's slaughter capacity will increase by well over 6,500 animals per month.

"These programs will reap benefits for both the industry and our communities," Peters said. "Our government is providing up to $138.5 million to the livestock industry to deal with the fallout of the BSE situation. Through investments such as this we continue to build strong communities and give Ontarians a quality of life that is second to none."

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Media Contact:
Jamie Rilett
Minister's Office
416-326-6439
416-458-2610 (Mobile)