Canadian Government Invests $94, 000 into Nova Scotia Dairy Farm

Aug 21, 2012

Government Grant Assists Organic Dairy Farm to Modernize Equipment

The Canadian Government is investing $94,000, in the form of a repayable loan to Cook`s Dairy Farm based in Yarmouth Nova Scotia. Cook`s Dairy is one of the leading dairy farms in Nova Scotia, producing three million liters of milk per year. The repayable contribution is made possible through the Agriculture Flexibility Fund`s AgriProcessing Initiative that seeks to support agriculture businesses and assist them in becoming more competitive.

With the support of the federal government, Cook`s Dairy Farm will be able to meet the new food safety regulatory requirements to operate an organic dairy. The funds will go towards purchasing wastewater treatment equipment that will boost the Cook`s dairy business to become more efficient by utilizing environmentally friendly technology.

Member of Parliament Greg Kerr made the announcement on behalf of Agriculture Minister Ritz. "The Harper Government's top priority remains the economy, and dairy producers play a crucial role in keeping our economy strong," MP Kerr said in a statement. "This investment will help Cook's Dairy Farm increase production, capacity and sales to be better equipped to meet growing market demands."

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.