For immediate release: January 03, 2006

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT REINFORCES
COMMITMENT TO FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS
Deadlines Extended To Assist Industry

TORONTO - As part of the government's commitment to enhance food safety by working with industry, the application deadlines for the Meat Plant Assistance Program have been extended, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced today.

The Meat Plant Assistance Program is part of a $25.35-million program to be delivered over four years. The program will assist the meat industry in education, training, making technical and business decisions and making the facility and operational upgrades required to conform to the new Meat regulation. Plant operators can obtain up to $25,000 in financial assistance under this program.

"While meat produced in Ontario continues to meet high food safety standards, the new Meat regulation harmonizes with the National Meat and Poultry Code," said Dombrowsky.

"Industry indicated that they needed more time to make upgrades to their facilities to meet the requirements of the new, more stringent Meat regulation. We listened to their concerns and, as a result, we have extended the deadlines for the Meat Plant Assistance Program."

The new application deadlines are:

• June 1, 2006 for abattoirs and large freestanding meat plants producing
  more than 1 million kg annually in 2004;
• October 1, 2007 for freestanding meat plants producing between 500,000
  and 1 million kg annually in 2004;
• February 15, 2008 for freestanding meat plants carrying out Category 2 activities and producing less than 500,000 kg annually in 2004 or who were not operating in 2004;
• February 15, 2009 for freestanding meat plants carrying out only Category 1 activities and producing less than 500,000 kg annually in 2004 or who were not operating in 2004.

"Stronger standards for meat safety in Ontario, a new Food Safety and Quality Act, improved meat inspection and the HACCP Advantage program - these are all indications of the McGuinty government's commitment to protecting public health and safety as well as enhancing the competitiveness of the Ontario agri-food industry," says Dombrowsky.

There are 185 slaughter plants and approximately 650 freestanding meat plants in Ontario. Freestanding meat processors include businesses that process products like bacon, deli meats and smoked ham, and businesses that produce items like roasts, chops and steaks and sell them to wholesalers, food service operations and retailers. Freestanding meat processors do not slaughter animals and are not federally registered.

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Contact:
Christopher Flavelle
Senior Communications Advisor
(416) 326-3072