Our farmers and agri-business owners across the agri-food industry are essential to our communities and our Government is fully engaged to help them through this unprecedented period.

Today we announced over $250 million in direct funding as well as important changes to agriculture programs to support farmers, food businesses, and food processors who are working hard every day to ensure Canadians have a safe and reliable food supply:

– We are launching a national AgriRecovery initiative of up to $125 million in funding to help producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19. This includes set-asides for cattle and hog management programs to manage livestock backed-up on farms, due to the temporary closure of food processing plants. We are changing the program so it now covers 90% of eligible expenses, from 70%.
– We are establishing a $77.5 million Emergency Processing Fund to help food processors manage new challenges: adapt to health protocols, automate or modernize their operations, and respond to emerging pressures from COVID-19 so they can better supply Canadians with food during this period.
– We are establishing a first-of-its kind Surplus Food Purchase Program with $50M designed to help redistribute existing and unsold inventories, including potatoes and poultry products, to local food organizations who are serving vulnerable Canadians.