Government of Canada announces funding to a Quebec dairy processing expertise centre

SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC, April 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Today, while attending the Conseil des industriels laitiers du Québec's annual general meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau announced an investment of $376,668 to the Cheese Expertise Centre for two projects to help cheese processors continue to innovate and compete.

With this investment made under the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, the Cheese Expertise Centre will create a database of standardized production processes for artisanal cheese makers across Canada, and develop a series of technical cheese making training seminars.

The Cheese Expertise Centre supports cheese production that contributes to regional development through technical consulting services, technical support for quality improvement, training, extension and innovation.

Quotes

"Canada's robust dairy processing sector continues to respond to Canadians' growing appetite for new, artisanal and innovative dairy products. Our government is committed to helping the sector modernize and remain competitive, and to supporting our world-class processors in staying on the cutting edge while creating well-paying jobs for our middle class."

- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"With the assistance provided by AAFC, the Cheese Expertise Center will strengthen its expertise in the dairy sector for Canada as a whole by reducing reliance on foreign expertise. Our organization will continue its efforts of a highly competitive calibre in support of the Canadian dairy sector. In addition, this is a golden opportunity for the Canadian cheese industry to move toward promising technologies and thus ensure that we are competitive."

- Pascal-André Brisson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cheese Expertise Centre

Quick Facts

• To date, 26 dairy processors in Quebec have been approved for funding valued at over 
  $17.4 million under the $100-million Dairy Processing Investment Fund, for a wide array of projects in cheese, milk drying, yogurt, cream and butter projects.
• Canada's dairy sector is also supported by the associated Dairy Farm Investment Program. To date, over 1900 projects have been approved for funding support valued at over $128 million, including over 870 projects and over $49 million in Quebec, in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.

Associated Links

• Dairy Processing Investment Fund
• Dairy Farm Investment Program
• Cheese Expertise Centre

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada