PRODUCER
ACCESS TO EQUITY LOAN PROGRAM FOR EXPANDING
CANADIAN SLAUGHTER CAPACITY
OTTAWA,
ON, October 25, 2005 - Canadian livestock producers wanting
to invest in new or expanding federally regulated and inspected ruminant
slaughter facilities can now apply for additional assistance from the
Government of Canada.
Further to the June 29, 2005 announcement to support transformation
of the Canadian cattle and other ruminants industry, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell today announced details of the Ruminant
Slaughter Equity Assistance Program.
“This program allows producers to make a significant investment
in their own industry,” said Minister Mitchell. “It is an
important step towards ensuring Canada has the slaughter capacity it
needs in today’s trading environment, reducing regional disparities
in slaughter capacity, and improving access to slaughter facilities
for older animals and other ruminants such as sheep and bison.”
Under the Equity Assistance Program, $10 million is available to contribute
to equity investments by eligible producers to help increase Canada’s
slaughter capacity of federally regulated and inspected ruminant slaughter
plants.
The Equity Assistance Program requires a minimum investment per producer
of $1,000, triggering a government contribution of $500. Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada will match up to one-half of an individual producer’s
investment to a maximum government contribution of $20,000. The maximum
government contribution available for any slaughter facility project
is $5 million.
Farm Credit Canada is assisting Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in
the delivery of the program. Producers may apply for the program through
the slaughter facility in which they are investing.
For more information on the Ruminant Slaughter Equity Assistance Program,
visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Web site at http://www.agr.gc.ca/ren/ruminant/index_e.php,
contact the slaughter plant you wish to invest in, or call Farm Credit
Canada at 1-866-514-8419.
-30-
(Authored
and distributed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)