Editors note: Two photos are included with this press release on Marketwire's website.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is strengthening the sheep and goat industry by helping to eradicate disease, enhance traceability and improve on-farm food safety practices. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, with Member of Parliament David Tilson (Dufferin-Caledon), today announced an investment of up to $6 million to help sheep and goat farmers come through this economic recovery stronger than ever.

"As Canada begins to show signs of economic recovery, the Government of Canada knows that the sheep and goat industry can deliver tremendous returns as it already brings in over $100 million to the farm gate," said Minister Ritz. "A strong animal health and traceability system will position Canada's sheep and goat producers for the premium prices their top-quality products deserve around the world."

The AgriFlexibility fund, a commitment made under Canada's Economic Action Plan, will deliver up to $4.5 million to determine the prevalence of scrapie, a fatal neurological disease, in Canadian sheep. This information will help establish a time frame in which scrapie can be eradicated from Canada and international markets can be reopened.

The remainder of the investment of more than $1.5 million will go towards the following three projects:

--  $733,000 will support the Canadian Sheep Federation's pilot project to
    have a select number of producers implement full-scale Radio Frequency
    Identification (RFID) technology to demonstrate the benefits RFID can
    provide to the industry.

--  $491,000 will help the Canadian National Goat Federation and the
    Canadian Sheep Federation to foster education within the industry on
    identification and traceability of goats and sheep. It will also be used
    to further the work done on the Canadian Sheep Federation's Canadian
    Sheep Identification Program.

--  $354,000 will support the Canadian Sheep Federation in the development
    of their On-Farm Food Safety Management System. This is the last step in
    the federation's On-Farm Food Safety system which could lead to
    government recognition of their Hazard Analysis of Critical Control
    Points (HACCP)-based system.

"Our Government is working to boost the bottom line for the sheep and goat sector in Ontario and across Canada," said MP Tilson. "This investment is another step forward in Canada's Economic Action Plan to increase international trade, strengthen the Canadian economy and make sure our agriculture industry comes through this global economic instability stronger than ever."

"We are pleased to be working with the Government of Canada to provide more resources and tools for the Canadian sheep producer," said Dwane Morvik, chairman of the Canadian Sheep Federation. "Improving access to farm technology and implementing programs to address animal health issues can make a real difference to the bottom line of our farmers and improve our ability to take advantage of international and domestic markets."

The sheep industry is worth $124 million in farm receipts.

Canada's Economic Action Plan will remain focused on strengthening the economy, while working towards returning to balanced budgets and securing Canada's economic future. For more information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

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