Governments Strengthening the Local Food Supply Chain

November 1, 2024

ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON – Through the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, the governments of Canada and Ontario are supporting 35 local agri-food businesses through the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, which aims to help agri-food businesses and contributors enhance their biosecurity capabilities and long-term resilience. Successful recipients are receiving between $995.75 to $61,798.10 for projects ranging from, tractor upgrades, advanced pesticide sprayers and a heated fumigation room to reduce disease transmission risks.

The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative (BEI) will support 365 projects across the province through an investment of up to $7.5 million. Funding will help farmers, food processors, and other essential farm-supporting agribusinesses protect their operations against disease, enhance operational resilience and improve public trust in our food supply system.

Under the initiative, farmers, processors, and other farm-supporting agri-food businesses were eligible for cost-share funding ranging from 35 per cent to 50 per cent, depending on the project category. Supported activities include the implementation of technologies that reduce the spread of animal and pest diseases and capital upgrades that enhance food safety (such as constructing isolation facilities and wash bays).

“Our government is committed to working with our agriculture and food sector to ensure it has what it needs to maintain, strengthen and grow the supply of safe, quality foods for consumers both at home and abroad,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Through initiatives such as this, we are boosting the resilience of Ontario’s food supply chain and maintaining its place as a trusted source of agri-food products.”

This initiative was developed following discussions with agri-food sector businesses and organizations. The BEI is part of a series of initiatives the government has implemented to enhance food safety in the sector and is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.