Ontario Agri-Food Biosecurity gets a boost

Canada and Ontario Invest in Farm Biosecurity

Canada and Ontario are jointly investing up to $7.5 million in 365 projects to assist the province’s farmers, food processors, and vital agribusinesses in safeguarding their operations from pests and diseases.

This initiative, known as the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, is geared toward boosting biosecurity across Ontario’s agri-food sector. Combined with cost-shared investments from the agricultural sector, this funding is expected to generate up to $31.5 million in biosecurity improvements across Ontario’s agriculture and food supply network.

“Keeping our food safe while applying best management practices is vital to ensuring Ontario’s agri-food system continues to thrive,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “These projects will help enhance biosecurity along our supply chains so we can keep feeding Canadians, and the world.”

“Maintaining and strengthening Ontario’s world-class food safety system is the number one priority for this ministry,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “This initiative builds on our government’s consistent record of enhancing the resilience of Ontario’s food supply chains and boosting our standing as a globally trusted producer of agri-food commodities and goods.”

The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative provides cost-share funding of between 35% to 50%, depending on project type, to eligible farmers, processors, and select agri-food businesses.

Funding supports projects aimed at preventing the spread of animal and plant diseases through technological advancements and infrastructure improvements.

Examples of biosecurity-focused upgrades include isolation facilities and wash bays, which provide critical safeguards against contamination and disease spread.

One of the funded projects, awarded up to $50,000, will enable a farm near Ottawa to install an electronic traceability collection system to improve biosecurity and animal health within its cattle operations.

“We are pleased with the government's Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative, which has enabled 70 producers to enhance biosecurity measures on their farms." said Tara Terpstra, Board Chair, Ontario Pork. "This funding plays an important role in protecting the health of our livestock, ensuring the long-term sustainability of our industry, and maintaining confidence in the safety of Ontario-produced pork. By investing in biosecurity, we are strengthening our farms and safeguarding our food system against potential threats.”

The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a comprehensive five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments.

This partnership allocates $1 billion to federal programs and initiatives, with the remaining $2.5 billion cost-shared on a 60-40 basis between the federal and provincial/territorial governments to support provincially delivered programs.

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