Leona Dombrowsky, MPP – Prince Edward-Hastings

February 24, 2005

McGuinty government supports farmers
Investing in deadstock collection and increased slaughter capacity

NAPANEE –The Ontario government is supporting farmers by providing $4 million in further funding for deadstock collection and increasing domestic slaughter capacity, Leona Dombrowsky, MPP announced today.

“These programs will benefit farmers and everyone in our rural communities,” Dombrowsky said. “Our government is providing up to $138.5 million to the livestock industry to deal with the fallout of the BSE crisis. Through investments like the Ontario Cull Animal Strategy we continue to support the farmers of Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington.”

The Ontario Cattleman’s Association will receive an additional $4 million to improve the deadstock collection system. In Ontario, an estimated 80,000 tonnes of deadstock are produced each year. Since the finding of BSE in a Canadian-born cow in May 2003, cattle producers, deadstock collectors and the rendering and meat industries have been under serious financial pressures as a result of lost markets.

Dombrowsky said the province is also providing an additional $800,000 in funding under the third phase of the Mature Animal Abattoir Fund to help the livestock industry expand domestic slaughter capacity in under-serviced areas of the province.

The goal of the $7 million fund is to expand Ontario’s overall slaughter capacity for surplus mature cattle and other ruminant livestock to help reduce the backlog of these animals in the province. When these projects are fully implemented, Ontario’s slaughter capacity will increase by well over 6,500 animals per month.

“A good deadstock collection system supports a healthy livestock industry, a healthy environment and healthy people,” said Steve Peters, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “When combined with increased slaughter capacity for all animals, we are helping all ruminant livestock producers weather the BSE storm.”




	News Releases
	February 24, 2005 McGuinty government supports farmers Investing in deadstock collection and increased slaughter capacity NAPANEE –The Ontario government is supporting farmers by providing $4 million in further funding for deadstock collection and increasing domestic slaughter capacity, Leona Dombrowsky, MPP announced today. “These programs will benefit farmers and everyone in our rural communities,” Dombrowsky said. “Our government is providing up to $138.5 million to the livestock industry to deal with the fallout of the BSE crisis. Through investments like the Ontario Cull Animal Strategy we continue to support the farmers of Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington.” The Ontario Cattleman’s Association will receive an additional $4 million to improve the deadstock collection system. In Ontario, an estimated 80,000 tonnes of deadstock are produced each year. Since the finding of BSE in a Canadian-born cow in May 2003, cattle producers, deadstock collectors and the rendering and meat industries have been under serious financial pressures as a result of lost markets. Dombrowsky said the province is also providing an additional $800,000 in funding under the third phase of the Mature Animal Abattoir Fund to help the livestock industry expand domestic slaughter capacity in under-serviced areas of the province. The goal of the $7 million fund is to expand Ontario’s overall slaughter capacity for surplus mature cattle and other ruminant livestock to help reduce the backlog of these animals in the province. When these projects are fully implemented, Ontario’s slaughter capacity will increase by well over 6,500 animals per month. “A good deadstock collection system supports a healthy livestock industry, a healthy environment and healthy people,” said Steve Peters, Minister of Agriculture and Food. “When combined with increased slaughter capacity for all animals, we are helping all ruminant livestock producers weather the BSE storm.”