Program Funding
BC-VBP is done in partnership with the BC Cattlemen's Association, BC Association of Cattle Feeders, and the BC Breeder and Feeder Association.
Funding provided by Growing Forward-Federal-Provincial-Territorial initiative and through the Food Safety Systems Implementation (Producer) Program
Producer Funding
Provincial - Food Safety / Traceability Specific Funding
There are two that are applicable:
Food Safety Systems Infrastructure Fund - (FSSI) – is for producers wishing to improve (review and start applying) and on-farm food safety program (e.g. Verified Beef Production program)
OR implement (become registered in VBP by completing the on-farm audit) on their operation. Registration in VBP is no longer required but showing that you have completed a GAP Analysis
is – this can be done by completing the attached producer checklist. Having attended a VBP workshop would make this easier but it’s not required. See Schedule II on page 18 and the VBP equipment
eligibility list on page 21 of the FSSI application guide (click on “guide”) for full details and list of eligible equipment and items under this fund. Other potential equipment and structures being investigated as eligible by ARDCorp are a dedicated fridge for animal health products, building of pesticide storage, and inclusion of dedicated feed storage units for medicated feed. Funding maximum is $5,000 cost share ratios vary between 90:10 and 50:50 but for the most part are 50:50. The squeeze with a neck extension/access area is listed on this fund’s eligible equipment list.
Entraprise Infrastructure Traceability Fund - is for producers wishing to improve their traceability program (e.g. RFID systems) by helping with the purchase costs of hardware for the traceability systems (e.g. RFID or barcode readers, computers for the reader system, related software, and label printers and/or internet connections. Funding maximum is $20,00 with some caps for equipment and software at $18,000 with limits on computers (max $1,000 if not dedicated to the traceability system) and is at a cost share of 75:25 (25 being the producer contribution).
For full details and application guidelines and forms for both funds visit the BC Agricultural Research & Development Corporation's website: ARDCORP
Federal - other and related funding
Livestock Auction Traceability Initiative (LATI) – cost share ratio 80:20 with max funding value of $100,000 - this fund is through the federal gov’t and
the application process is posted on LATI. To be eligible to receive funding from LATI, applicants must be an owner or have management authority of an existing facility
in Canada, such as: live animal auction marts; animal assembly yards; privately managed community pastures; feedlots; backgrounders; fairs and exhibitions; and other high-risk, high
through-put co-mingling facilities, which may be considered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) on a case-by-case basis. Applications may be submitted at any time until
September 30, 2013 or until all program funding has been committed. All activities must be completed no later than January 31, 2014.
For a list of funding sources, go to: Agri and Agri-Food Canada- Funding Opportunities for BC Producers, Processors, and Associations (January 2010).
For More Details Contact:
Annette Moore, BC-VBP Program Coordinator
Ph: (604) 309-3509 : Toll Free (in BC): 1-866-398-2848 :
Email vbp@cattlemen.bc.ca
or
Contact ARDCORP
Ph: (604) 854-4483 : Toll Free: 1-866-522-3447 Email: info@ardcorp.ca
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