The industries will receive almost $700 million over 10 years
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The federal government has unveiled details of two compensation programs for Canadian chicken, turkey and egg producers.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced nearly $700 million to support these industries and their 4,800 farmers for market effects from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“We are delivering with a federal investment of $691 million to help Canada’s poultry and egg industries innovate, grow and prosper,” she said during an April 13 virtual press conference. “The majority of this investment, close to $630 million over 10 years, will help poultry and egg farmers make any kind of investment on the farm that modernizes the operation, boosts competitiveness and meets new market demands.”
The $630 million will be dispersed under the Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program.
The sectors will receive the following amounts once distribution begins in 2021-22:
- $347.3 million for chicken producers;
- $59.6 million for turkey producers;
- $134 million for egg producers; and
- $88.6 million for broiler hatching egg producers.
Farmers will be entitled to an amount proportional to their quota holdings on Jan. 1, 2021.
“An average chicken producer who produces 450,000 kg a year will have access up to $120,000,” Bibeau said.
The federal government will cover up to 70 per cent of the program costs and up to 85 per cent for young farmers (35 or younger as of Jan. 1, 2021).
Farmers will be able to apply for the program later in the spring.
The remaining funding will be distributed through the Market Development Program for Turkey and Chicken.
This program will provide Turkey Farmers of Canada with $36.5 million and Chicken Farmers of Canada with $25 million over the next decade to help promote Canadian products.
Poultry and egg sector representatives welcomed the announcement.
These programs provide flexibility for producers, said Roger Pelissero, chair of Egg Farmers of Canada.
They “offer additional opportunities for our farmers to re-invest in their operations and plan for the future as they navigate the long-term market losses under CPTPP,” he said during the press conference.