Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced details of two new programs designed to help drive innovation and market development for Canada’s 4,800 chicken, turkey and egg farmers.
These programs, totaling more than CA$691 million (US$551.5 million) over ten years, respond directly to requests from producer associations and provide full and fair compensation for market impacts from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“The government is delivering on our commitment to compensate our supply-managed farmers for losses from recent trade agreements. These investments will help ensure continued growth and prosperity for our poultry and egg farmers, who help keep Canada’s rural communities strong and vibrant. We have worked hand-in-hand with industry to ensure they have the full and fair support they need to continue to keep our family farms thriving and our grocery shelves full of good Canadian products,” said Bibeau.
Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program
The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program will provide close to CA$630 million over ten years to support poultry and egg farmers through on-farm investments. Producers will be entitled to an amount proportional to their quota holdings. Eligible projects are anything that helps a producer modernize, become more competitive and adapt to changing consumer preferences. This includes new barn construction or upgrading equipment like feeding, watering, lighting, ventilation, heating, and comfort systems that will promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental footprint. The Government of Canada will contribute up to 70% of the project cost, a ratio increasing to up to 85% for young farmers to help ensure a strong future for Canada’s farms. The intake of applications for this program will launch later this spring.
Funding will be distributed starting in 2021-22, and will be allocated as follows:
- CA$347.3 million for chicken producers;
- CA$59.6 million for turkey producers;
- CA$134 million for egg producers; and,
- CA$88.6 million for broiler hatching egg producers.
Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken
The Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken will provide CA$36.5 million for the Turkey Farmers of Canada and CA$25 million for the Chicken Farmers of Canada over ten years. This funding will help promotional activities that differentiate Canadian-made products’ reputation for high-quality, safe and sustainably farmed food that adheres to strict animal welfare standards. Funding will be distributed to the national industry organizations, who will submit a multi-year strategy to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for approval. The intake for applications from these organizations launches April 13, 2021.
Industry reactions
“This announcement of programing is welcomed and a positive step by the government in support of turkey farmers and supply management in Canada. These programs, asked for by our industries, will help us grow our customer base and the domestic turkey market, and through on-farm investment enhance long-term competitiveness in preparation for increased imports under the CPTPP. We very much appreciate this commitment by the federal government,” said Darren Ference, chair, Turkey Farmers of Canada.
"Today’s announcement offers new opportunities for our farmers to reinvest in their operations and plan for the future as they navigate the long-term market losses under the CPTPP agreement. By building on current practices, egg farmers will continue to be at the forefront of the sustainable agriculture movement and drive new levels of innovation and efficiency. Egg Farmers of Canada thanks the government for its continued and vocal support for supply management and our strong, domestic agriculture sector," said Roger Pelissero, chair of Egg Farmers of Canada.
“Canada’s chicken farmers deliver the highest quality products to Canadians. The Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program and the Market Development Program being announced will allow farmers to plan for the future, adapt to changing consumer preferences, and contribute to Canada’s goals of sustainably growing our agricultural sector. We’d like to thank the Government of Canada for upholding its commitment to full and fair compensation for poultry and egg farmers,” said Benoît Fontaine, chair, Chicken Farmers of Canada.
“Canada's over 240 hatching egg producers are pleased to receive additional details with today’s announcement on the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program. This program, totaling more than $88 million for our sector, will mitigate the market impacts from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership by supporting investments in our farm operations including improving efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. We look forward to continue working with the government on these types of programs to support a strong and thriving Canadian hatching egg sector that contributes to Canadian food security and sustainability," said Brian Bilkes, chair, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers.
