Agriculture Minister George Webster today announced further funding for food safety and traceability programs in Prince Edward Island. Producers are now eligible to receive up to $2,500, or 75 per cent of the costs, for the purchase of equipment and/or audits to meet national standards. The previous level of assistance was up to $1,000, cost-shared on a 50/50 basis. The program is part of the Canada - Prince Edward Island Growing Forward agreement.
“The agriculture industry has earned a solid reputation for the high safety standards of its products,” said Mr. Webster. “This additional funding will help the industry provide further assurance to the marketplace about the safety of the products that are produced here in Prince Edward Island.”
The Minister said that assistance is being made available to producers, boards, organizations and agri-businesses for the implementation of food safety, traceability and biosecurity measures.
Mr. Webster said that training programs are also being offered to producers to help them meet national standards. The Prince Edward Island Horticultural Association, in cooperation with the Potato Board, is conducting training for potato producers. A similar training program for beef producers is being carried out through Prince Edward Island Cattle Producers.
“These measures reflect the commitment of the government and industry to meet national food safety and traceability standards,” said Mr. Webster.