Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Yesterday's Federal Budget from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty:

  • proposes Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) streamline by merging their "back-office functions." 
  • According to the budget funding to the CFIA will be cut by $56.1 million over the next three years.
  • Overall the federal agriculture portfolio's annual budget will be cut by $309.7 million by 2015. 
  • Under the budget's proposed plan the government will change how the CFIA monitors and enforces "non-health and non-safety" food labelling regulations.

"The CFIA will introduce a web-based label verification tool that encourages consumers to bring validated concerns directly to companies and associations for resolution," the budget stated.

  • $51.2 million will be spent over the next two years on strengthening Canada 's food safety system, with an increase in the frequency of government inspections at meat processing plants.


What do you think of the Budget?

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