Canada's hardworking farmers are the backbone of Canada's economy, ensuring families across Canada and around the world have safe, high-quality food on their tables. The Canadian egg industry is a vital part of the Canadian economy, contributing over $1 billion a year and employing 17,000 people.

Today, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment for the egg industry to assist in the development of an electronic scan to determine the gender and fertility of eggs, helping to increase the capacity and efficiency of hatcheries. The Government of Canada is providing $844,000 to the Egg Farmers of Ontario to study ways to minimise waste and take a major step forward to address animal welfare matters.

“The Canadian egg industry is driving our economy and creating good jobs. The Government of Canada is proud to support the Egg Farmers of Ontario for this first-of-its-kind study that will make Canada a world leader in animal welfare. This investment will help pilot a solution that will be welcomed both in Canada and around the world and will keep the egg industry strong and growing,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.

“With today's announcement, the government has taken a significant step in supporting innovation in Canada's egg sector. This investment in cutting-edge research offers new technology and processes that will help continuously improve and strengthen the entire egg supply chain - in Canada and around the world,” said Roger Pelissero, Chairman of Egg Farmers of Canada.

The Egg Farmers of Ontario is a not-for-profit organization that supports the control and regulation of the production of eggs and pullets in Ontario. The current project is likely to lead to the commercial adoption of the imaging technology that enables eggs to be non-invasively scanned soon after they are laid.

This project is supported by the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), a funding initiative that helps the farming sector to remain competitive by piloting solutions to new and ongoing challenges.

“Animal welfare is high on the radar for consumers today. This investment will help Ontario egg farmers humanely and efficiently grow their businesses and stay competitive," commented Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines

“Ontario egg farmers deliver eggs that are safe, nutritious, and top-quality. This investment will help Ontario’s egg industry take a major step forward on animal welfare, for less cost and with less waste," added Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.

As reported by the AAFC