Economic Action Plan Delivers on Slaughter Improvement Program

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, Nov 02 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Government of Canada is helping to open new markets for Manitoba beef
by conditionally approving a loan of up to $10 million to Keystone
Processors Ltd. to upgrade a beef processing plant. This is a key
initiative under the Slaughter Improvement Program, part of Canada's
Economic Action Plan.

The Manitoba Cattle Enhancement Council (MCEC) also announced today a
further investment of $7.5 million for Keystone Processors Ltd.

"Canadian livestock producers have a great product to sell, and there is
growing demand worldwide," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
"That is why our Government continues to work in partnership with
provinces to help producers and packers coast to coast capture new
opportunities beyond our shores."

"We have recognized the importance of increasing slaughter capacity in
Manitoba and through our government's establishment of the Manitoba
Cattle Enhancement Council (MCEC) we are creating working partnerships
with the council, industry and governments that are key to building our
processing capacity," said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural
Initiatives Rosann Wowchuk. "When we build on beef processing in our
province, we are opening the door to our producers for new markets and
new jobs."

In 2008, Keystone Processors Ltd. - a Winnipeg processing company -
purchased a former federal hog processing facility and converted it into
a provincially licensed beef processing facility. This loan will help
Keystone Processors bring the plant up to federal and European Union
certification standards.

"Investing in a stronger meat packing and processing sector in Canada
benefits the entire value chain," said Minister Vic Toews, President of
the Treasury Board and Regional Minister for Manitoba. "If packers are
profitable and competitive, our farmers will benefit through stronger
markets, and our economy will benefit through new jobs."

The $50-million Slaughter Improvement Program makes federal repayable
contributions available to support sound business plans aimed at reducing
costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of meat packing and
processing operations in Canada.

Federal and MCEC funding is subject to Keystone Processors Ltd. meeting
specific conditions set out by the federal government and MCEC related to
their project proposal and the signing of a funding agreement.

For more information on this program, visit www.agr.gc.ca/slaughterhouse.

For more information on MCEC, visit www.mancec.com.

For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit
www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Contacts:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Media Relations
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
613-773-1059

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