Features Business Policy
Funding for record-keeping tools approved

March 25, 2009, Ottawa, Ont. – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) has approved the Canadian Horticultural Council’s (CHC) request
to add field and traceability record-keeping software/tools (e.g. Field
Pro, Crop Smart, and other approved software record-keeping
application) to the list of specialized food safety equipment eligible
for reimbursement under the On-Farm Implementation (OFI) funding
program for potatoes, tree and vine fruit plus greenhouse commodities.

March 25, 2009, Ottawa, Ont. – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has approved the Canadian Horticultural Council’s (CHC) request to add field and traceability record-keeping software/tools (e.g. Field Pro, Crop Smart, and other approved software record-keeping application) to the list of specialized food safety equipment eligible for reimbursement under the On-Farm Implementation (OFI) funding program for potatoes, tree and vine fruit plus greenhouse commodities.

The total OFI funding allocation for specialized equipment or technical support is a maximum of $750 per producer/packer. Specialized food safety equipment purchases must be cost shared 50/50, and technical support cost shared 70/30 (government/industry).

The following items have been approved by the CFIA as specialized food safety equipment for which producers and packers of potatoes, tree and vine fruit plus greenhouse commodities can seek reimbursement (to a maximum of $750): 

• Field and traceability record-keeping software/tools (e.g. Field Pro, Crop Smart or other approved applications) 
• Trace back equipment – labelers
• Specialty lighting – shatterproof bulbs, bulb sheaths and protective coverings
• Water treatment equipment 
• Signs
• Pest control equipment – traps 
• Building equipment – window screens, door screens and puckboard
• Hand washing stations  

For more information, including OFI funding provincial delivery agent contact information for each commodity grouping, please visit the CHC’s website at http://www.hortcouncil.ca/FSOfi.htm. To apply for OFI funding benefits, provincial delivery agents must receive the producer self-declaration, including a copy of receipts for technical support received and/or specialized food safety equipment purchased by no later than March 31, 2009. Please note that applications received after the deadline of March 31, 2009 will not be eligible for reimbursement under the OFI funding program as the program ends as of that date.