By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Canadian government has announced an investment aimed at enhancing sustainability and safety in the dairy industry. On July 22, ahead of the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) Annual General Meeting in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, unveiled a $8.5 million funding package.
This initiative, under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance Program, aims to support dairy farmers in adopting more sustainable practices and improving product traceability, according to a recent release. But some local farmers have their misgivings.
The investment includes two major projects. The first project, receiving up to $5 million over five years, focuses on advancing sustainability and public trust in the dairy sector. This funding will support the proAction quality assurance program, which provides a framework for high standards in environmental impact, food safety, and animal care. Through on-farm assessments, the program aims to assist farmers in making environmentally conscious decisions, such as managing greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
The second project, allocating up to $3.57 million over five years, is dedicated to enhancing DairyTrace, a national dairy cattle traceability program. The release states this program is crucial for maintaining animal health and public trust by preventing disease spread and ensuring sustainable food production. DairyTrace supports the industry’s compliance with new federal regulations on animal health and safety.
Minister MacAulay in the release emphasized the importance of the dairy industry to Canadian communities, stating, “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.” He underscored the government’s commitment to helping farmers adopt practices that lower emissions and improve product safety.
