Government of Canada invests in innovation to support the food sector

MIRABEL, QC, July 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's agri-food industry continues to diversify to meet the changing needs of Canadians and those around the world. Research is essential to the discovery of new and innovative food products and sources that allow Canadian producers and processors to develop and expand into new markets.

Today the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, announced an investment of up to $210,970 to the Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel (CRAM) under the federal Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program. This funding will enable CRAM to examine several aspects of edible insects for food and feed, specifically the impacts of rearing conditions, diet and processing methods, as well as how automated production methods could reduce costs.

During her visit to CRAM, Minister Joly also took the opportunity to highlight recent announcements made in Quebec as part of Minister MacAulay's 'Growing Canadian Agriculture' cross country tour which started in Quebec last week and ends in British Columbia on July 17.

The Minister is meeting with farmers, processors and industry leaders, as well as participate in rural agricultural events, to highlight strategic federal agricultural investments and programs.

On June 26, Minister MacAulay announced a federal investment of up to $910,355 to Fromagerie La Station to help the cheese processor purchase and install robotic equipment to improve the quality of its products and enhance production capacity.

In addition, a federal investment of up to $12.7 million was announced to Swine Innovation Porc, under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership's AgriScience Clusters. Swine Innovation Porc, will contribute up to an additional $5.8 million to the Swine Research and Development Cluster for a total value of up to $18.5 million.

Quotes

"Canadian farmers know the importance of developing new and innovative products, and of exploring new avenues to ensure they remain on the cutting edge. Today's announcement will help researchers and industry better understand the potential benefits of insect products as food and feed sources."
-       Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

"Our agriculture sector and all the high-quality jobs that depend on it in Mirabel and elsewhere in Canada must be able to continue innovating in order to stay competitive and expand into new markets. I am proud to announce this funding to the Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel, which plays a vital role in agri-food research and technology transfer. This funding will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on insect rearing and production for food and feed and will help position Canada as a leader in this fast-growing sector."
-       Mélanie Joly, Minister of Heritage

"The production of insects for human and animal consumption is a developing sector in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada. This industry has immense potential, given the markets that are emerging and the low environmental impact of insect production. Nevertheless, a number of parameters still need to be determined to ensure production that is efficient and profitable and that meets the potential of this sector. The objective of the project funded under the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program is to improve production processes, rearing diets and processing methods for four species with excellent gastronomic and nutritional potential."
-       Caroline Provost, Executive Director, Centre de recherche en agroalimentaire de Mirabel

Quick Facts

• The Centre de recherche agroalimentaire du Mirabel is a non-profit organization that provides research and technology transfer services in horticulture and agri-food, in order to promote the development and competitiveness of agricultural businesses.
• This project is likely to enable producers to produce high-quality insects at a competitive cost and expand into new markets, including food, feed, pharmaceuticals and soil fertilizer.
• This project is supported by the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), a funding initiative that helps the farming sector to remain competitive by piloting solutions to new and ongoing challenges. 

Associated Links

• Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP)
• Centre de recherche agroalimentaire de Mirabel

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972, [email protected]