Jim Laws, executive director of the Canadian Meat Council (CMC), said that proposals including accelerated tax deductions for new manufacturing machinery and equipment, changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and further pursual of trade opportunities would “impact directly on the competitiveness of the meat, poultry and egg industries”.
The Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council (CPEPC) pointed out that the Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance programme would also help the Canadian meat and poultry sector meet the country’s stringent food inspection and hygiene standards.
“Canada’s meat and poultry sectors recommended the creation of a Food Safety Tax Credit that would support investments in new sanitation, processing, packaging, refrigeration and laboratory technologies and equipment, thereby contributing to further enhancements in food safety for Canadians,” said CPEPC president and CEO Robin Horel.
“Although the extended Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance programme may not be applicable to the acquisition of new food safety technologies, this important announcement will facilitate investments in the acquisition of food safety-related machinery and equipment, as well as in the continued domestic and international competitiveness of Canada’s meat and poultry industry.”
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) welcomed the government’s commitment “to pursue an ambitious market development and trade agenda”, pointing out that specific mention had been given to Canada-Europe negotiations and the TPP, which it said were “top priorities for Canada’s beef cattle industry”.
It also welcomed commitments to working closely with the US in order to cut the red tape and costs involved with exporting meat to the US, and improve infrastructure at US key border points to “facilitate efficient entry into the US”.
Finally, the CCA said the government’s plans to continue with its Growing Forward 2 agreement for agriculture should help improve competitiveness and market development, while providing assistance to livestock farmers “in cases of severe market volatility and disasters”.