$8.5 Million Federal Investment to Support Sustainable Practices in Canadian Dairy Industry

"Dairy farms are at the heart of so many communities across the country, and I know just how hard our dairy farmers work to provide us with top-quality products while caring for their animals and the environment," MacAulay stated. "Today’s investment is about giving Dairy Farmers of Canada the support they need to help farmers adopt sustainable practices to lower emissions and improve the traceability and safety of dairy products."

The funding aims to enhance existing producer support tools, including the national dairy cattle traceability program, DairyTrace, and the proAction® quality assurance program. These initiatives are designed to uphold high farming standards.

DFC President David Wiens emphasized the importance of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) investments for the long-term success of the Canadian dairy industry in terms of safety and sustainability. "Improved traceability protects against and prevents disease spread, supporting the viability of our nation’s dairy farms. This results in less waste and a more sustainable food supply chain for all Canadians."

Under this funding initiative, DFC will receive up to $5 million over five years to advance sustainability and public trust through the proAction quality assurance program. This program ensures Canadian dairy farms maintain high standards in environmental impact, food safety, and animal care.

Additionally, $3.57 million will be allocated over five years to strengthen DairyTrace, enhancing tools to protect animal health, public trust, and sustainability. This traceability initiative supports the dairy industry's sustainability by preventing disease spread and promoting more sustainable food production, in line with new federal regulations for animal health.

This announcement comes as Dairy Farmers of Canada hold their Annual General Meeting in St John's, focusing on "Building a Robust and Modern Canadian Dairy Industry for the Future."