Vineland, Ontario, February 20, 2013 – Canadian vintners will enhance the safety of their top-quality wines with the support of the Harper Government. Member of Parliament Dean Allison (Niagara West-Glanbrook), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment to the Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) to update and strengthen their robust food safety systems.
“Canadian vintners are known for their dedication to producing a variety of high-quality wines,” said MP Allison. “This investment will help the Canadian Vintners Association ensure that wineries across Canada implement the latest safety practices in order to continue to deliver premium products to Canadian and international markets.”
This investment of $333,000 will help the CVA update their Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety system, which outlines step-by-step safety standards for wine producers. The project includes developing new training tools and guidelines, online training materials, and communicating the system to industry members. A strong food safety system will keep Canadian vintners at the forefront in terms of quality control and solid production practices, reassuring Canadians that food products are handled safely and helping to boost the bottom line of farmers.
"Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has committed $333,000 toward developing a recognition process and online training tool that will be available to all Canadian wineries interested in implementing a HACCP based preventative control program," explained Dan Paszkowski, President & CEO, Canadian Vintners Association. "The marketplace is increasingly demanding that producers have a food safety program in place and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has provided support to ensure Canadian wineries have the up-to-date tools they need to protect their place in the market," said Paszkowski.
This federal investment is being made through the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative (CIFSI) under the current Growing Forward framework. The Harper Government is assisting organizations in developing national, government recognized on-farm and/or post-farm HACCP or HACCP-based food safety systems, helping to reduce the risk of food-borne illness.
Activities to support the development of food safety will continue to be a priority under the new agricultural policy framework, Growing Forward 2 (GF2). In addition to generous multi-year funding for risk management programs, GF2 will include $3 billion to invest in innovation, competitiveness and market development. Cost-shared federal-provincial-territorial strategic initiative investments will increase by 50 per cent, and will contribute to improved productivity of the sector and profitability of primary producers and processors such as the Canadian Vintners Association. GF2 programs will be in place by April 1, 2013, when the current framework expires.
To find out more about the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative, please visit agriculture.canada.ca/cifsi.
For more information on Growing Forward 2, please visit agriculture.canada.ca/growingforward2.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
