Canada's Economic Action Plan: Harper Government Invests in New Livestock Traceability Initiative for Canadian Farmers

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO, Jul 10 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Harper Government is investing $20 million to build a vital link in
the traceability chain that tracks Canadian livestock from the grocery
store back to the original farm gate.

Today, Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz along with Minister of
National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre
Blackburn announced a new Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative at
the conclusion of the annual federal-provincial-territorial meeting of
agriculture ministers.

"Strengthening Canada's traceability system will make it easier for
individual Canadian producers to get credit and premium prices for the
top quality meat products they provide to families in Canada and around
the world," said Minister Ritz. "A superior traceability system also
helps protect the security of our food supply by allowing us to quickly
and effectively track down a potential problem before it can spread. This
will, in turn, help us open up new markets for Canadian livestock
producers on the world stage."

"Our Government is showing strong leadership by making key investments in
traceability systems that will deliver real benefits to both livestock
producers on the ground and to families at the local grocery store," said
Minister Blackburn. "We are pleased to see provinces such as Quebec and
Alberta are implementing their own innovative traceability initiatives
and we want to build on that success by helping all regions to build a
national system."

The investment will allow Canadian auction marts, assembly yards, fairs
and exhibitions and privately managed community pastures to upgrade
facilities to help in the identification and tracing of individual
animals.

"Our Government is working closely with Canadian producers to make sure
traceability systems work throughout the entire value chain," said
Minister Ritz. "This particular initiative responds to producers' request
to ensure that traceability respects the speed of commerce."

The Government of Canada will deliver $20 million through the Livestock
Auction Traceability Initiative to upgrade handling systems in facilities
to keep track of individual animals as they are mixed with other herds in
auction marts and other facilities such as community pastures. Funding
for this program will come from the $500-million Agricultural Flexibility
Fund, announced as part of the Economic Action Plan to help the sector
adapt to pressures and improve its competitiveness.

This initiative will build upon federal-provincial-territorial Growing
Forward investments to enhance Canada's traceability capacity. The
federal government is working with its provincial and territorial
counterparts to find the best way to deliver this new initiative. As
delivery arrangements are confirmed, application details will be made
available.

BACKGROUNDER

A national livestock traceability system is an important tool to address
animal health or food recall incidents, and a growing prerequisite for
competing internationally with other livestock producing countries.

The Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative is a three-year,
$20-million program to enhance traceability capacity where live animals
routinely commingle, such as auction marts, assembly yards,
privately-owned community pastures, fairs and exhibitions. Commingling
sites are considered high-risk areas because diseases could be easily
transmitted.

Contributions under this initiative will assist commingling sites in
altering the animal handling structures, which could include physical
infrastructure changes, building modifications and technical and trade
services, for example, purchasing and installing gates or pens.

The Government of Canada is also supporting traceability under Growing
Forward with other inter-related traceability programs.

1. The Canadian Industry Traceability Infrastructure Program is a fund
for national industry-led projects for animal and product identification
and movement recording. Many national livestock organizations have
already submitted projects for review under this program.

2. Enterprise Infrastructure is a cost-shared program administered by
provinces and territories under Growing Forward to provide training and
technology support to individual farms and firms.

Contacts:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Media Relations
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972

The Office of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn
Sophie Doucet
Press Secretary
613-947-7298
Cell: 613-608-3252

The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Meagan Murdoch
Press Secretary
613-759-1059

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