"The Harper Government's top priority remains the economy, and dairy producers play a crucial role in keeping our economy strong," said MP Kerr. "This investment will help Cook's Dairy Farm increase its production capacity and sales, and be better equipped to meet growing market demands."
Cook's Dairy Farm currently processes approximately three million litres of raw milk per year into a variety of fluid milk, sour cream, and other drink products. This investment of $94, 000 will help increase their production capacity and also enable them to satisfy food safety regulatory requirements for organic dairy processing. As a result, the company is expected to stimulate demand for Canadian milk, benefitting local farmers. The equipment will also benefit the environment by helping the company be more effective in treating the wastewater effluent from milk processing.
"This new waste water treatment equipment supports our ongoing commitment to being good stewards of the land," said Don Cook, General Manager of Cook's Dairy Farm Ltd. "The investment will also support our development as a certified organic dairy."
This repayable contribution is being delivered through the Agricultural Flexibility Fund's AgriProcessing Initiative, a five-year, up to $50 million initiative designed to enhance the competitiveness of Canada's agri-processing sector. It provides support to existing companies for projects that involve the adoption of innovative and new-to-company manufacturing technologies and processes that are essential to sustaining and improving the sector's position in today's global marketplace. For more information on this program, visit www.agr.gc.ca/api.
Through the EAP, the Harper Government is helping farmers find new markets, adapt to current economic challenges and make their businesses more efficient and environmentally sustainable. The Next Phase of the EAP will remain focused on strengthening the economy, while working towards returning to balanced budgets and securing Canada's economic future.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Meagan Murdoch
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
