Assurance Systems Program
Highlights
The Assurance Systems Program is a fantastic opportunity for your business. It offers financial assistance to help you implement recognized assurance systems. These systems can improve food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity, and traceability. By participating, you can enhance your business's reputation and meet industry standards more effectively.
What You Get
- Financial support for activities such as training, technical assistance, and equipment.
- Pre-audit and first audit assistance to ensure you meet necessary standards.
- Emergency management and surveillance support to prepare for and mitigate risks.
Why Apply?
- Boost your business's credibility with verifiable claims to buyers.
- Improve operational efficiency with better safety and biosecurity protocols.
- Easy qualification if your business fits the criteria, making it accessible and beneficial.
Applying for this program can help you stay competitive and resilient in the agricultural sector.
Financing Details
Type of Financing: Grant
Eligible Expenses:
- Awareness and outreach
- Training and education
- Technical assistance
- Pre-audit and first audit assistance
- Maintenance and enhancement of provincial premises identification and traceability systems and databases
- Premises identification program management
- Implementation costs, such as equipment and infrastructure
- Consulting work
- Emergency management, mitigation, prevention, and preparedness
- Surveillance initiatives
- Initiatives related to antimicrobial resistance
Use of Funds:
- Funds cannot be used for personal expenses, unrelated business activities, or any expenses not directly tied to the implementation of recognized assurance systems.
Fees:
- There are no fees associated with applying for or receiving this grant.
Qualifications
- Must be a Mi’kmaq First Nations or other Indigenous group, agriculture industry organization, club, association, or a public, private, or academic research body.
- Must be involved in the agricultural industry, either on-farm, in food processing enterprises, or post-farm agri-food enterprises.
- Must be located in Prince Edward Island.
- Must have a Canada Revenue Agency Business Number.
Must provide a project proposal (1-2 pages) with sections including cover page, executive summary, project objectives, timeline, results, sustainable CAP outcome, climate change/carbon sequestration, budget, evaluation, and communication of support (if applicable).
Disqualifications:
- Businesses not involved in the agricultural industry.
- Businesses located outside Prince Edward Island.
Description
This program is designed to help your business handle risks related to humans, animals, and plants. It offers financial support for activities that improve safety and preparedness in your operations. You can receive funding to implement recognized assurance systems on your farm, in your food processing enterprise, or in post-farm agri-food enterprises.
The money can be used for:
- On-farm food safety programs
- Food safety control programs
- Humane treatment of animals
- Biosecurity protocols
- Traceability implementation plans
- Surveillance systems
Eligible expenses include:
- Awareness and outreach
- Training and education
- Technical assistance
- Pre-audit and first audit assistance
- Equipment and infrastructure costs
- Consulting work
- Emergency management and preparedness
This funding can help you enhance your business's safety and efficiency, making it more competitive and resilient. There is no payback period for this funding, as it is not a loan but a grant to support your business's growth and stability.
Program Steps
Complete the Application Form:
- Fill out the application form with your contact information and business details.
- Include your CRA registration number and partnership information, if applicable.
- Specify the project start and end dates.
- List any additional sources of project funding.
- Identify your recipient type (e.g., primary producer, agricultural landowner, processor).
- Indicate your industry type (e.g., dairy, potato, beef, hog, grains and oilseeds).
- Sign the declaration and consent to personal information.
- Provide demographic information (optional).
Prepare Documentation:
- Gather the following documents:
- Project proposal (1-2 pages) with sections including:
- Cover page
- Executive summary
- Project objectives
- Timeline
- Results
- Sustainable CAP Outcome
- Climate change/carbon sequestration
- Budget
- Evaluation
- Communication of support (if applicable)
- Project proposal (1-2 pages) with sections including:
- Gather the following documents:
Submit the Application:
- Ensure all sections of the application form and required documents are complete.
- Submit the application to the PEI Department of Agriculture.
Await Review:
- The Assurance Systems Program Review Committee will review your submission.
- Be prepared to provide additional information if requested.
Approval and Implementation:
- Upon approval, review the terms and conditions of the funding.
- Begin implementing your project as outlined in your proposal.
- Maintain records and documentation for reporting and evaluation purposes.