The Farm Biosecurity Programme will provide funding to individual poultry producers to help them implement or improve biosecurity measures that are based on the National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard. Strong biosecurity helps reduce the risk of disease, pests and pathogens.

In addition, the Food Safety and Traceability Education Programme will help organisations to develop and deliver educational and outreach programmes to promote best practices to Ontario producers and processors.

Both programmes are part of the Best Practices Suite of programmes under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

“Farmers across Ontario can take pride in their animal handling practices. Our Governments are working together so that farmers have access to the latest and best farm animal care techniques. This investment will help farmers build new trade opportunities and boost their bottom line and Canada’s economy,” said MP Dave Van Kesteren, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

“These programmes give producers and processors the tools they need to produce safe healthy food. They are part of our ongoing investments to encourage innovation, competitiveness and sustainability on Ontario farms and throughout the entire agri-food sector,” said Carol Mitchell, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

• Canada and Ontario will fund these programmes through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative to support the development of a profitable, innovative agriculture sector that is adept at managing risk and responsive to market demands.
  
  
• The Farm Biosecurity Programme is part of a $9.3 million investment in biosecurity under Growing Forward.
  
  
• In Ontario, Growing Forward supports best practices in four key areas: environment and climate change; food safety and traceability; business development; and biosecurity.