March 07, 2005

Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk today announced the Manitoba government will make $3 million available to investors looking to increase slaughter capacity for beef and other ruminants.

"The decision by one judge in Montana to hold up opening the border has underscored the merits of our government’s ongoing commitment to create slaughter capacity in Manitoba," the minister said. "We need to explore every option to build facilities to ensure Manitoba cattle and other ruminants can be slaughtered at home."

The minister also announced her department will cover up to 90 per cent of costs of feasibility studies for those wishing to upgrade their existing provincially-licensed facilities to become federally-inspected plants. Details of the program will be announced shortly.

The $3 million announced today is over and above the $11.5 million the Manitoba government has committed to help develop the Rancher’s Choice slaughter plant proposal.

Wowchuk said the Manitoba government’s efforts to support slaughter capacity are in addition to $116.25 million provided to producers since the closure of the Canada-U.S. border in May 2003.

"Our plan to deal with the closure of the border has included providing financial support, promoting slaughter capacity expansion and lobbying so science prevails over local interests in the border closure issue," the minister said. "We remain committed to supporting producers as we deal with these difficult times."

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

(Manitoba portion, 40 per cent)

Ø $7.8 million

(reconfigured program within Manitoba's approved $15 million for the Canada-Manitoba BSE Recovery Program)

(an extension of the Canada-Manitoba BSE Recovery Program)

Ø $4 million (Manitoba only)

(Fed cattle and feeder cattle set-aside programs)