Canada’s livestock sector will remain competitive and reduce its environmental footprint as a result of the Government of Canada’s support for innovative agricultural technologies. Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies announced an investment of $10 million to Cargill Meat Solutions, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.
“This investment will enhance Cargill Meat Solutions’ competitiveness by reducing waste and cutting costs,” stated Minister of State Menzies. “This new equipment will also increase sustainability by using specified risk materials (SRM), land fill waste and compost material as fuel sources.”
The project involves the purchase and installation of new equipment designed to safely dispose of SRM, landfill trash, and compost material to produce energy, while producing energy in the form of steam and electricity for the company’s facility located in High River, Alberta.
The project is expected to generate annual savings for the company through reduced costs for handling and disposal of SRM materials, and savings from electricity and natural gas reduction.
This new process is also expected to reduce approximately 60 percent of the plant’s steam load, currently produced using natural gas, and 15 percent of the plant’s electrical load, currently being purchased from the commercial distribution grid.
“We are thankful to the Government of Canada for their continued investment in the Canadian beef industry,” said Scott Entz, General Manager, Cargill Meat Solutions. “This investment will serve to improve the Canadian beef packing industry and uphold Cargill’s firm commitment to sustainable agriculture and reducing our environmental footprint.”
This investment is delivered under the Slaughter Waste Innovation Program announced in Budget 2010. Through this program, the Government of Canada will invest $40 million to support the study, development and adoption of innovative technologies or processes that help reduce processing costs or generate profits through the use or elimination of specified risk materials. For the complete details about this program, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/swip.
Agriculture is a vital economic driver in Canada, which is why the Canadian Government also invests in the agriculture sector through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To find out more, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
