Canada announces $8.5-million in support for dairy farmers
Funds to be used to improve sustainability and safety
25 July 2024
2 minute read
By: Ahead of Dairy Farmers of Canada's 2024 Annual General Meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of more than $8.5 million for two projects led by Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) through the AgriAssurance Program – National Industry Association Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
The investment will allow DFC to improve existing producer support tools, such as the national dairy cattle traceability program, DairyTrace, and the related proAction quality assurance program, which provides a framework for high standards of farming.
DFC will be receiving up to $5,000,000 over five years to advance sustainability and public trust in the dairy industry, leveraging the proAction quality assurance program. The proAction program ensures Canadian dairy farms maintain high standards in terms of environmental impact, food safety, animal care, and more. Environmental stewardship is a top priority for the Government of Canada, and the on-farm assessments through proAction, and projects planned through DFC's sustainability initiatives, will assess areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, water use, and biodiversity, to help farmers make environmentally conscious decisions in their farming practices.
DFC will also be receiving up to $3,572,786 over five years to build on their existing tools and strengthen DairyTrace to help protect and enhance animal health, public trust, and sustainability. Traceability supports the sustainability and viability of the dairy industry by helping prevent the spread of disease, thereby promoting more sustainable food production and supporting new federal regulations for animal health.
"DFC welcomes these AAFC investments which will help the Canadian dairy industry find long-term success in safety and sustainability," said David Wiens, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "These programs go hand in hand: improved traceability protects against and prevents disease spread, supporting the viability of our nation's dairy farms. This results in less waste and a more sustainable food supply chain for all Canadians."
"Dairy farms are at the heart of so many communities across the country, and I know just how hard our dairy farmers work to provide us with top-quality products while caring for their animals and the environment," added MacAulay. "Today's investment is about giving Dairy Farmers of Canada the support they need to help farmers adopt sustainable practices to lower emissions, and improve the traceability and safety of dairy products."
