OTTAWA, ONTARIO — Potential applicants are being encouraged to apply for Canada’s new federal Slaughter Improvement Program (S.I.P.). The three-year, $43-million program is now accepting applications.

"The Slaughter Improvement Program — a commitment made in Canada's Economic Action Plan — is now up and running," said Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture). "This program will make red meat packing and processing facilities more competitive and accessible to farmers across the country."

Under the new program, federal repayable contributions are available to support investments made by the private sector and other levels of government in sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of red meat packing and processing operations in Canada.

Meat processing is responsible for $17.6 billion in annual sales for Canadian livestock farmers.

Click