Safeguarding Ontario’s Food Supply and Animal Health

Ontario’s agri-food sector is getting additional support to improve biosecurity on poultry farms and to boost food safety and traceability through the development of educational and training programs.

The Farm Biosecurity Program will provide funding to individual poultry producers to help them implement or improve biosecurity measures that are based on the National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard. Strong biosecurity helps reduce the risk of disease, pests and pathogens.

In addition, the Food Safety and Traceability Education Program will help organizations to develop and deliver educational and outreach programs to promote best practices to Ontario producers and processors.

Both programs are part of the Best Practices Suite of programs under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

QUOTES

“Farmers across Ontario can take pride in their animal handling practices. Our Governments are working together so that farmers have access to the latest and best farm animal care techniques. This investment will help farmers build new trade opportunities and boost their bottom line and Canada’s economy.”
— MP Dave Van Kesteren, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

“These programs give producers and processors the tools they need to produce safe healthy food. They are part of our ongoing investments to encourage innovation, competitiveness and sustainability on Ontario farms and throughout the entire agri-food sector.”
— Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

QUICK FACTS

• Canada and Ontario will fund these programs through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative to support the development of a profitable, innovative agriculture sector that is adept at managing risk and responsive to market demands.
• The Farm Biosecurity Program is part of a $9.3 million investment in biosecurity under Growing Forward.
• In Ontario, Growing Forward supports best practices in four key areas: environment and climate change; food safety and traceability; business development; and biosecurity.

LEARN MORE

Read about the Farm Biosecurity Program
Read more about the Food Safety and Traceability Initiative
Find out more about Growing Forward in Ontario

For more information:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Media Relations
613-773-7972 /1-866-345-7972
Meagan Murdoch, Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Brent Ross, OMAFRA Media Contact Officer
416-326-9342