$2.25 Million in Federal and Provincial Funding for Farmers

Thursday, 14 May 2020 at 16:08

The Federal and Provincial Governments are teaming up to invest $2.25 million to help farmers better protect employees.

WOODSTOCK - The Federal and Provincial Governments are teaming up to invest $2.25 million to help farmers better protect employees and ensure the continued supply of healthy food products for consumers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the federal and provincial governments are launching the second intake of the Agri-food Workplace Protection Program to help farmers enhance health and safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. The funding will be used for initiatives like purchasing personal protective equipment, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, and redesigning workstations.

Support is also available for farmers who experience unexpected costs for housing and transportation as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak among on-farm employees.

Local MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman says the investment is designed to keep our supply chain moving.

"Our farmers and their hard-working employees play a critical role in keeping our food supply chain strong, providing us with fresh, high-quality and nutritious food. Today's announcement is an important step in keeping our essential workers healthy and safe during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond."

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is now accepting applications and will expedite the approval process to help support workplace health and safety in the agri-food sector. Eligible applications will be received and assessed on a continuous basis, while funding is available.

The announcement is in addition to the $2.25 million investment announced last week to help provincially-licensed meat processors implement COVID-19 health and safety measures.

More information about this targeted intake and other cost-share funding opportunities can be found online at: http://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm or by calling 1-877-424-1300.