Canadian Food Safety and Quality Program:
Food Safety Initiative
Traceability Grant Program

**Update**

Traceability Grant Program Initiatives

OMAFRA is undertaking two initiatives to help you develop a Traceability Protocol that meets Can-Trace standards and as such, will be eligible for the reimbursement as described in the Program Guidelines:

1. Traceability Protocol Development Template - was developed and provided to all Traceability Grant Applicants to assist you in gathering and organizing all of the information that will support the writing of your Traceability Protocol. Copies are available on our website.

• Traceability Protocol Development Template (PDF format) or (HTML format)

2. Traceability Protocol Clinics - will be conducted in your geographic area by OMAFRA staff to provide guidance on the use of the Traceability Protocol Development Template and the writing of your final Traceability Protocol.

If you are interested in attending a Traceability Protocol Clinic in late November or early December please email fsi.omafra@ontario.ca by November 19, 2007 to get put on a list to receive further information regarding the clinics, including dates and locations. If you have any questions relating to the Food Safety Initiative - Traceability Grant Program, please contact our Client Service Representatives at 1-866-641-3663

Traceability Grant Program

Traceability is defined as "the ability to trace and follow food, feed, food-producing animals or substances through all stages of production and distribution". The Food Safety Initiative is a federal/provincial program, with the objective of promoting and enhancing food safety in the agri-food sector. Under the Food Safety Initiative in Ontario, funding has been provided to assist small and medium sized facilities (less than 100 employees) throughout the agri-food chain to implement a Facility Level Traceability System.

OMAFRA will be administering the Traceability Grant Program and will reimburse 75% of an applicant's eligible costs (incurred after January 15, 2007), up to a maximum of $20,000 per facility. Payments will be made based on proof of Facility Level Traceability System implementation as outlined in Schedule B of the Program Guidelines.

Deadlines for Claim Submission

A reminder, the deadline for submitting claims is March 1, 2008. To receive payment for your submitted claim you must supply:

• claim forms detailing costs incurred and documentation for proof of payment (such as receipts, copies of cancelled cheques, etc.);
• a written Traceability Protocol demonstrating proof of implementation of a facility level traceability system; and
• documentation showing that a successful mock recall has been conducted.

Traceability Grant Program Eligible Costs

• consultant fees for development and implementation of the Facility Level Traceability System;
  
• staff costs directly related to development of the Facility Level Traceability System
  (e.g., wages for traceability coordinator during development and implementation);
  
• materials and supplies for traceability plans and/or manuals;
  
• labour costs directly associated with the implementation of the Facility Level Traceability System;
  
• equipment purchases and software costs required for the implementation of the Facility Level Traceability System;
  
• infrastructure changes, as strictly required for the implementation of the Facility Level
  Traceability System; and
  
• related staff training costs;

Without prior notification to applicants, Eligible Costs may be added to or deleted by the Program Administrator over the course of the Program to better reflect the objectives of the Program. Items previously approved will be honoured as outlined in an Applicant's eligibility letter.

Traceability Grant Program Ineligible Costs

• federal and provincial taxes, including the non-refundable portion of GST;
  
• costs being reimbursed under an existing government program;
  
• costs for the purchase/rental/lease of buildings related to the facility level traceability system;
  
• product identifiers (e.g. ear tags, product labels); and,
  
• any other expense, which at the discretion of OMAFRA, is deemed to be ineligible.

Payments

• payments under the Program may be provided to eligible Applicants to cover seventy five percent (75%) of their Eligible Costs (section 3.3) up to a maximum payment of $20,000.
  
• Eligible Costs incurred from January 15, 2007 up to the receipt/documentation deadline indicated in Section 3.7, will be considered for cost sharing;
  
• payments may be provided to eligible Applicants after Eligible Costs have been incurred;
  
• prior to any payment being made, appropriate supporting documents (such as receipts, copies of cancelled cheques, bank records, etc.) for proof of implementation of the Facility Level Traceability System (see Schedule B in the Program Guidelines) have been submitted;
  
• prior to any payment being made, the Program Administrator may require a review/audit (evaluation) of the application and of the Applicant's Facility for eligibility of costs incurred and applied for under the Program to determine sufficiency for payment;
  
• Applicants will provide estimated costs in the application form. Payments for cost-sharing may be made based on the actual costs incurred subject to the maximum amounts; and,
  
• Applicants may assign any payments to which they are entitled under this Program. Payment pursuant to any assignment will be made jointly to the Applicant and assignee(s).

If you have any further questions regarding the Food Safety Initiative - Traceability Grant Program, or would like an application, please contact our Client Service Representatives at 1-866-641-3663.

Related Links

• Traceability Info Sheet (PDF format) or (HTML format)
  
  
• Selecting a Traceability Consultant Info Sheet (PDF format) or (HTML format)