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Government invests in the Canadian grain industry

Nov. 22, 2012, Ottawa, ON - The Canadian Government is helping the grain industry enhance its competitiveness at home and abroad. David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and for the Canadian Wheat Board and Member of Parliament (Cypress Hills—Grasslands), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced an investment to help grain producers strengthen their production practices, increase access to global markets, and improve on-farm food safety.

"We are helping to ensure that grain producers are well positioned for long-term success by helping to increase their competitiveness and create new export opportunities," said MP Anderson.

The Government's support for the grain industry is being reinforced with three targeted investments:

• $87,000 in Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (CIFSI) funding to the Canada Grains Council to update ExcelGrains Canada's food safety system for grains and oilseeds to include the latest best practices in food safety. This system is based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) material, which outlines step-by-step food safety standards that help to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
• $71,000 in AgriMarketing funding to the Canada Grains Council to implement its long-term market access international strategy, which includes industry-to-industry trade meetings to encourage the removal of non-tariff trade barriers in global markets. These efforts will increase market opportunities for stakeholders throughout the value chain and help build relationships with new and existing buyers to increase exports.
• $50,000 in AgriMarketing funding to the Grain Growers of Canada to develop and take advantage of new world markets through market development and promotional activities. The funding will also be used to forge new relationships with foreign industry associations and buyers by educating them about Canada's ongoing superior regulatory system that ensures grain quantity and quality.

"The ability to confirm the safety of Canadian grain and the removal of non-tariff trade barriers are vital to improved market opportunities for all stakeholders along the supply chain," said Jean-Marc Ruest, Chairman of the Canada Grains Council. 

The federal Growing Forward investment made through the CIFSI helps organizations develop national, government-recognized on-farm and/or post-farm HACCP or HACCP-based food safety systems.

To find out more about this initiative, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/cifsi.

November 22, 2012  By Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada