A sum of $1.7 million to promote safety and quality in the food processing sector
Quebec City, March 28, 2012. — Christian Paradis, federal Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), and Pierre Corbeil, Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister responsible for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Nord-du-Québec regions and MNA for Abitibi-Est, are pleased to announce an investment of $1.7 million over 2012-2014 to implement the special Food Safety and Quality Support Program, which is linked to the Agricultural Flexibility (AgriFlexibility) Fund.
This new program aims to help food processing sector companies to acquire the necessary tools and skills for improving the safety and quality of their food and to access national and international markets more easily.
"The agri processing industry plays a major role in the economy, and I'm very pleased our government is ensuring that the industry has an additional necessary tool to meet the stringent requirements of consumers here and abroad in terms of food safety and quality," stated Minister Paradis, indicating he was convinced this special support program will promote growth and competitiveness in the sector.
"The industry was waiting for the special Food Safety and Quality Support Program. It will facilitate the implementation of quality management systems and help meet international safety standards. I'm proud to be implementing it in Quebec," emphasized Minister Corbeil.
With a budget of $1.7 million over two years, this program is aimed at stimulating the implementation of quality management and control systems based on the principles of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points. This method is a tried and tested formula for optimizing processed food quality control. The Program will cover certain expenses, such as those associated with the quality management mechanism certification process, consulting, capital upgrades and other related expenses.
In 2010, the 2,000 odd companies in the food processing sector made deliveries worth roughly $23 billion, nearly 55% of which were sent outside Quebec, hence the importance of investing in these companies and supporting their activities. This sector, which provides over 64,000 jobs, is present in every region of Quebec. The quality and originality of its products contribute to a great extent to Quebec's reputation.
Those interested in obtaining a full description of the special Food Safety and Quality Support Program or information on AgriFlexibility can consult Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Web site and that of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada agriculture.canada.ca/agriflexibility
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/gestionqualite
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa (Ontario)
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Margaux Stastny
Director of Operations
Office of the Minister of State (Agriculture)
Tel.: 613-773-1107
Pascale Dumont-Bédard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tel.: 418-380-2525
Caroline Fraser
Public Relations Officer
Communications Directorate
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tel.: 418-380-2100, ext. 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca
