Assurance Systems Program
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Program Contact Name: Paul Jenkins Email: pjjenkins@gov.pe.ca Phone: 368-5654 |
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PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
As part of Growing Forward 2, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Framework Agreement, the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry delivers the Assurance Systems Program. This cost-shared program makes assistance available to eligible recipients to address risks related to humans, animals and plants through project driven and other outcome based approaches. These risks may relate to, but are not limited to, on-farm and post-farm food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity, traceability, animal/plant health, emergency management, quality assurance, and surveillance. This program consists of two sub-programs: On-Farm Assurance Sub-Program and Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
On-Farm Assurance Sub-Program
The On-Farm Assurance Sub-Program provides assistance for various activities that lead to the on-farm implementation of nationally developed and/or recognized assurance systems. This project-driven sub-program will be primarily directed at agricultural industry groups. Industry will set their priorities and lead producer adoption of systems that benefit the sector as a whole or benefit a large portion of the sector’s producers. Submissions from individuals may be considered based on merit and potential benefit to the industry. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to submit projects that address more than one system.
These systems include, but are not limited to:
- On-farm food safety programs
- Biosecurity protocols/standards
- Sector traceability implementation plans
- Development of a multi-commodity premises identification system
- Animal welfare codes of practice
- Other assurance systems (that support market-pull attributes)
Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program Description:
The Post-Farm Assurance Sub-Program provides assistance for the implementation of recognized assurance systems in food processing enterprises, and/or post-farm agri-food enterprises. This project-driven sub-program will target post-farm enterprises that market and/or modify raw agricultural products. Some examples include abattoirs, farm markets and farmer’s markets. Applicants are encouraged, where possible, to submit projects that address more than one system.
These systems include, but are not limited to:
- Food safety control programs, including nationally developed sector HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) programs and GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) recognized programs
- Traceability implementation plans
- Humane treatment of animals
- Surveillance systems
- Other assurance systems (that support market-pull attributes)
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Eligible Applicants include:
- Provincial agricultural industry organizations, clubs, and associations
- Agricultural producers
- Agri-businesses
- Public and private institutions
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Eligible Activities include, but are not limited to:
- Awareness/Outreach
- Training/Education
- Technical assistance
- Pre-audit/first audit assistance
- Support for development of provincial premises identification system and databases
- Implementation costs, such as equipment and/or infrastructure
- Consultant fees
- Emergency management, including mitigation and preparedness
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
- Normal and on-going operating and maintenance costs incurred by recipients, except as otherwise specified
- Development of assurance systems that are competing/conflicting with any Canadian assurance standards/systems
- Activities that use monetary incentives to encourage adoption of Premises ID or to report animal movements by producers
- Activities whose primary objective is to subsidize the purchase of regulated identification devices such as ear tags
- Items that can be used for multiple purposes (ie. digital cameras, GPS,smartphones)
- Emergency response and recovery costs
- Surveillance activities related to human health issues
- Animal welfare advocacy funding
- Activities related to companion animals
ASSISTANCE PROVIDED
Funding will be cost shared (Government/Applicant) with the level of support and total contribution for any project determined on a case by case basis. Approval of projects will be subject to the availability of funds and approved at the discretion of the Review Committee. In order to be approved, projects must indicate anticipated outcomes that are consistent with the objectives of this program.
APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a completed application form to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
CLAIMING PROCESS
To be reimbursed, applicants must submit a claim form to the Prince Edward Island
Department of Agriculture and Forestry with invoices and proof of payment, project report and a program evaluation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and submit a completed application to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
- Applications will be on a first come-first served basis.
- Expenses incurred prior to the submission of an approved application may not be eligible for assistance under this program.
- Applications must be received and approved by the Department before the commencement of any project activities to ensure that funding will be forthcoming.
- If the project is not approved, all incurred costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Assistance for each sub-program will be available during each fiscal year (April 1st to March 31st) or until funds are totally allocated within that year, whichever comes first.
- Recipients of funding under this program are consenting to the public release of their name, the amount of funding received, and the general nature of the project.
TERMINATION
This program is effective April 1, 2013 and will terminate on March 31, 2018.
This program may be altered or discontinued without notice by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
ADMINISTRATION
This program is administered by the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
CONTACT
General Inquiries:
Agriculture Information Desk
PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Toll-free: 1-800-734-3276
Tel: 368-4145
Email: peiextension@gov.pe.ca
Ver.1 04/19/13
Forms
| Assurance Systems Program - Application Form |
