Education, Training, Assessment, and Planning (Animal Health)

Stream: Processor

Code:

AHED-PR-B

For projects focused on first-time activities to improve animal health and welfare.

Who should apply?

Abattoirs, including new processor businesses (new entrants), that are planning first-time activities for animal health education or training, or to complete operational assessments and plans, with a qualified third party.

Preference is currently given to projects that support provincially licensed abattoirs.

To apply you must

Be a processor, or

Be a new processor business (new entrant) that:

• Constitutes a legal person
• Is new to the food and agri-product processing industry and has business projections that demonstrate potential annual gross business income of $30,000 or more within three years of applying
• Files personal income taxes in Ontario
• Has not filed taxes of $30,000 or more in annual gross business revenue as a food or agri-product processing business in the two years prior to applying for funding
• Has a valid Premises Identification (PID) Number (if a processing facility is established)

Eligible activities and expenditures

This Project Category is for first-time activities:

• Education and training from a third-party institution or consultant on topics related to the adoption of the national biosecurity standards, a commodity-specific risk management program, or animal welfare practices and procedures related to national Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals
• Operational assessments, conducted by a qualified third party such as a licensed veterinarian or certified animal welfare auditor, against:
  • National biosecurity standards, or practices and procedures
  • Commodity-specific risk management program
  • National Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals
  • National commodity-specific farm animal care program
  • Market-driven animal welfare program (e.g., North American Meat Institute Audit)
• Qualified third-party services to provide an initial operational plan (e.g., disease response plan, operation specific procedures, nutrient management plan or strategy)

Ineligible activities and expenditures

• Projects that support animals of non-agricultural significance
• In-kind contributions
• Professional services not directly related to the eligible activity
• Repeat services for the same operation or premise
• Travel and meal costs
• Activities and expenditures as detailed here

Available cost-share

50 per cent, up to a maximum of $5,000

Required documentation

• Quote and/or proof of cost to support cost of education training, planning or assessment activity

Merit assessment criteria

• Identified level of risk, with priority given to high- moderate risk operations, or proposals that will have greatest impact based on risk of introduction or spread of disease
• Priority will be given to provincially licensed abattoirs

Other useful information

If you are interested in applying as a new processor business (new entrant), contact OMAFRA at 1-877-424-1300 or agpartnership@ontario.ca.