Feds commit $1.7 billion to dairy, poultry and egg industries
Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau shared more details on Monday (Nov. 14) about Ottawa’s $1.7 billion commitment to dairy, poultry and egg producers and processors.
The government first announced the investment in its 2022 fall economic statement, released earlier this month, as part of its plan to compensate supply-managed sectors for the impacts of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Dairy producers will receive $1.2 billion over six years under the Dairy Direct Payment. And starting in 2023, the federal government plans to invest $300 million in a new program to support large-scale projects that add value to solids-non-fat, a by-product of milk processing.
Canadian poultry and egg producers can expect $112 million under the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program to support improvements to their farm businesses.
"These investments will allow turkey farmers to strengthen on-farm sustainability, improve and modernize their operations, and help them continue to provide turkey to Canadians that is safe, and produced in an efficient and responsible way. We thank the Government for following through on its commitment,” Darren Ference, chair, Turkey Farmers of Canada, said in a statement.
Finally, $105 million will go towards the Supply Management Processing Investment Fund to support investments in dairy, poultry and egg processing plants, to grow their productivity or efficiency through new equipment and automation technologies.
“The measures outlined in today's announcement provides a tool to navigate the impact of CUSMA on our sector, and benefits all Canadians as egg farmers continue to embrace green tech, make enhancements to their farm operations, and grow their sector. Canada's more than 1,200 egg farmers are committed to upholding our strong, domestic food system – today and into the future,” Roger Pelissero, chair, Egg Farmers of Canada, said in a statement.
Based on 2021 production, according to the government, the compensation for a dairy producer with an average herd of 80 head will be $26,507 (25%) for 2024, $22,089 (21%) for 2025, $22,089 (21%) for 2026, $13,253 (13%) for 2027, $13,253 (13%) for 2028 and $8,835 (8%) for 2029.
