NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Canada invests in hort traceability
The Government of Canada is helping horticulture producers demonstrate their
commitment to delivering safe, high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables to
consumers at home and abroad.
May 3, 2010, London, Ont.
– Canada is helping horticulture producers demonstrate their
commitment to delivering safe, high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables to
consumers at home and abroad.
Agriculture Minister
Gerry Ritz and Member of Parliament Joe Preston (Elgin-Middlesex-London)
recently announced an investment of more than $750,000 to help the Canadian
Horticulture Council develop a national on-farm food safety system that will
strengthen the horticulture industry and help them show how safe their products
are on the world stage.
“Horticulture producers
can be proud of their long standing history of producing safe, high-quality
produce for Canadians and consumers world-wide,” said Minister Ritz. “This
investment will further increase consumer confidence in the safety and quality
of Canadian produce and will help growers boost their competitive edge in the
marketplace.”
The Canadian
Horticulture Council will use this funding to complete its On-Farm Food Safety
System for the horticulture sector. Currently, the CHC is making the food
safety program available for implementation by horticulture producers across
Canada.
“Growers here in Ontario
and across Canada understand the importance of healthy food when it comes to
maintaining a healthy business,” said MP Preston.
"The … assistance
has made it possible for the Canadian Horticultural Council to develop a
technically sound and effective on-farm food safety system for Canada’s fruit
and vegetable producers," said Andy Vermeulen, CHC president. "The
CanadaGAP program is a clear example of the Canadian Government’s commitment to
helping farmers achieve their goals of safe production and market access."
Agriculture is a core
economic driver in Canada, which is why in addition to Canada’s Economic Action
plan, Canada is making these types of investments through
Growing Forward. This federal investment is being delivered through the
Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (CIFSI) which helps organizations
develop national, government-recognized on-farm and/or post-farm HACCP or
HACCP-based food safety systems.
To find out more about
this initiative, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/cifsi.
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