Ontario — Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative provides funding to support the resilience of the agriculture and food sector by addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness.
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $7,500,000
- 35% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : September 19, 2023
- Closing date : January 06, 2025
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Grant Providers
- Government of Ontario
- Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP)
Status
Open
Overview
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative aims to bolster the resilience of the agriculture and food sector by addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness. The program offers funding opportunities for key agriculture industry businesses, including Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers, across seven project categories focused on animal and plant health. Eligible activities include risk assessments, management planning, equipment upgrades, and innovative monitoring and management tools to reduce biosecurity threats.
Eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative involve specific requirements for the type of business and project. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for funding under this initiative:
- Primary Producers, Processors, or Service Providers are eligible.
- Each project category has its specific cost-share percentage and project cap.
- A maximum of two submitted applications/Projects in progress under the Initiative at any given time.
- Projects must have distinct and separate expected outcomes for each application submitted.
- Applicants must not have already received Initiative Payments for the same project through Sustainable CAP.
- Must provide written quotes from third parties detailing proposed costs.
- Required to submit applications using a Ministry-approved Application Form filled out using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Must provide necessary documentation such as site sketches when required.
- Must list all funding sources if the total assistance provided exceeds 100% of the total eligible costs.
- Must be registered with Transfer Payment Ontario and for Doing Business with the Government of Ontario, with Supply Ontario.
- Must comply with all environmental, labour, and tax-related laws.
- Must not owe a debt to Ontario or Canada, or must be compliant with any repayment plans if applicable.
- Must maintain all necessary and appropriate insurance, including commercial general liability insurance.
Who is eligible
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative supports various agricultural industry businesses including Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers.
- Primary Producers: Includes producers (crop or livestock), agricultural landowners and renters, propagators, fruit tree nursery owners, equine operation owners, and biomass producers.
- Processors: Includes businesses in the agri-food supply chain such as slaughterhouses, agri-food processors, bio-processing companies, packing houses, pet food and fertilizer manufacturers, and food/agriculture waste companies.
- Service Providers: Includes entities that offer products or services to the agricultural sector such as grain storage and elevators, veterinarians, private laboratories, aggregators, supply chain partners, chicken catchers, corn detasselers, animal health practitioners, fairs, cold storages, and transporters.
Who is not eligible
There are no specific types of companies mentioned in the grant context that are not eligible for the grant.
Eligible expenses
Yes, eligible expenses for the grant are mentioned.
- Costs for conducting pest risk assessments
- Costs for developing biosecurity procedures and integrated pest management plans
- Expenses for participating in plant health training
- Costs related to installing sprayer upgrades on pesticide application equipment
- Workflow, sanitation, and isolation-related expenses to reduce biosecurity risks in high-risk areas
- Adoption and incorporation of innovative integrated pest management tools and equipment
- Expenses for technologies and processes to reduce plant pest contamination
Eligible projects & activities
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative supports seven project categories with eligible activities aimed at reducing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness in the agriculture and food sector.
- Reducing animal health risks
- Livestock traceability equipment and processes
- Assessment, planning, education and training (plant health)
- Sprayer upgrades for integrated pest management
- Preventing introduction and spread of pests through isolation, sanitation, and controlling workflow
- Innovative pest monitoring and management tools and equipment
- Technologies and processes to reduce plant pest contamination and risk
Eligible geographic areas
The eligible geographic zones for the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative grant are not specified in the provided guidelines.
- Ontario, Canada
Evaluation & selection criteria
The Project application will be assessed, in part, based on the quality of supporting documentation, such as quotes and sketches, where required. See enclosed Schedules for Initiative and Project Category-specific requirements and information.
- Quality of supporting documentation
- Compliance with category-specific requirements as per the relevant Schedule
How to apply
- Step 1: Read the guidelines on this page.
- Step 2: Download and complete the application form (PDF) on the required schedule page.
- Step 3: Email your completed application to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca.
- Implications: Each proposed Project must have a project completion date no later than February 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted as of September 19, 2023 on an ongoing basis until no later than January 6, 2025, subject to the availability of funding allocated to the Initiative.
Additional information
Applications for the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative are subject to ongoing availability of funds, and specific category requirements must be met for eligibility.
- Applications will be accepted until January 6, 2025, subject to availability of funds.
- Each project must have a completion date no later than February 1, 2025.
- Applicants can have a maximum of two submitted applications/projects in progress at any given time.
- A separate Application Form must be submitted for each proposed project.
- Applicants must not submit an application for a project that has already received funding through Sustainable CAP.
- Total assistance from all funding sources cannot exceed 100% of total eligible costs, with a 75% stacking limit for capital items for-profit businesses.
- Written quotes from third parties must be provided detailing proposed eligible costs.
- Site sketches may be required for some projects, including specific measurements and site features.
- Applicants must select and enter NAICS codes best describing their business and the primary sector/commodity impacted by the project.
Contact information
SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca
Apply to this program
Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative aims to bolster the resiliency of the agriculture and food sectors by addressing biosecurity risks and enhancing emergency preparedness. It offers funding opportunities to key agriculture industry players, including Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers, across seven Project Categories.
Comprehensive Guide to the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative is a crucial component of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), designed to fortify the agriculture and food sectors against potential biosecurity risks and improve their emergency preparedness capabilities. This initiative, which has been in high demand and is 75% subscribed, promotes the enhancement of biosecurity measures across the entire agri-food value chain. Herein, we delve into the various aspects of this significant funding opportunity and guide prospective applicants on how to navigate the application process successfully.
Understanding the Purpose of the Initiative
The primary goal of the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative is to support the resiliency of the agriculture and food sector by addressing biosecurity risks and bolstering emergency preparedness. The initiative provides funding opportunities to businesses across the agriculture industry, targeting Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers. By financing projects that protect animal and plant health, the initiative seeks to generate benefits that extend to human and environmental health. In doing so, it aims to enhance the detection, mitigation, and reduction of biosecurity risks within the agri-food system, thereby increasing sector preparedness for disruptions, boosting public trust, and fostering consumer confidence, ultimately helping the sector thrive.
Eligibility and Funding Information
The initiative makes a significant financial commitment with an allocation of up to $7,500,000. Importantly, there is no maximum funding limit per recipient for the total initiative, though funding caps do exist within specific project categories. Eligible applicants include Primary Producers, Processors, and Service Providers defined as entities engaged in the production, processing, or provision of services to the agriculture sector.
Eligibility Requirements
Businesses must comply with certain eligibility requirements to participate in the initiative. Applicants must be in good standing with tax-related, environmental, and labor-related requirements of law, and they need to be transparent, equitable, and fair in obtaining goods and services. Moreover, applicants should ensure a conflict-free execution of projects to uphold the program’s integrity. Further requirements specify that participants must retain project-related assets valued at $1,000 or more for at least two years post-approval and maintain necessary insurance coverage throughout their project’s duration.
Project Categories
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative features seven distinct project categories, each tailored to address specific biosecurity needs. They include:
- Schedule 1 - Reducing Animal Health Risks: Targeting Primary Producers, Processors, or Service Providers, this category supports physical setup, practices, testing, monitoring, and management efforts that mitigate animal health risks. Funding matches 35% of project costs, with a cap of $50,000.
- Schedule 2 - Livestock Traceability Equipment and Processes: This category aims to improve traceability equipment and processes among livestock primary producers and their service providers, enhancing animal health protection and food safety. Similarly, a 35% cost-share applies, with a project cap of $50,000.
- Schedule 3 - Assessment, Planning, Education, and Training (Plant Health): Encouraging the development of farm-specific expertise, this category offers a 50% cost-share (capped at $5,000) for activities that include pest risk assessments, biosecurity procedures, and plant health training.
- Schedule 4 - Sprayer Upgrades for Integrated Pest Management: Focused on upgrading pesticide application equipment, this category helps minimize worker exposure and environmental impact. It offers 50% funding with a $5,000 limit.
- Schedule 5 - Preventing Introduction and Spread of Pests through Isolation, Sanitation, and Controlling Workflow: This category targets workflow, sanitation, and isolation practices to mitigate biosecurity risks, offering a 35% cost-share and a $50,000 cap.
- Schedule 6 - Innovative Pest Monitoring and Management Tools and Equipment: Supporting the adoption of innovative pest management tools, this category aids in monitoring, managing, and treating plant health risks, with a similar 35% cost-share and a $50,000 cap.
- Schedule 7 - Technologies and Processes to Reduce Plant Pest Contamination and Risk: Exclusively for processors, this category aims to lower contamination risks through advanced technologies and processes, providing a 35% cost-share with an increased project cap of $100,000.
Application Process
Applying for the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative involves several key steps:
- Carefully read the guidelines provided on the official initiative page.
- Download and complete the appropriate application form based on your specific project category.
- Email the completed application form along with all required documentation to SustainableCAP3@ontario.ca. The deadline for applications is January 6, 2025, subject to available funding.
- Ensure all applications are submitted using Adobe Acrobat Reader. Incomplete forms or those filled out using other formats may need resubmission.
- Provide written quotes from third party service providers outlining the scope and cost of goods or services. When applicable, include a site sketch showing all relevant project-related features.
- Each applicant can have up to two projects in progress under the initiative at any given time. Each project must have distinct and separate outcomes, and applicants should not apply for multiple funds for the same project under other Sustainable CAP initiatives.
Successful applicants will receive an Approval Letter and will need to submit claims for reimbursements through the Ministry’s Claim Portal. Ensure all claims are complete, supported by invoices, proofs of payment, and any additional information requested by the Ministry.
Review and Payment
The Ministry will scrutinize all applications and claims to verify eligibility and conformity with the initiative’s goals. Ineligible costs or incomplete claims will not be reimbursed. Payments will be processed accordingly, with the potential of pro-rated adjustments if funds are insufficient. Recipients must be registered with Transfer Payment Ontario and Supply Ontario to receive payments.
Compliance and Revocation
Applicants must avoid conflicts of interest, comply with legislative requirements, and maintain good conduct with Ministry staff. Willful submission of false information or abusive behavior could lead to revocation of eligibility and a requirement to repay any received funds. Recipients must also notify the Ministry about any changes in ownership or control of their business while participating in the initiative.
Communicating the Project
Recipients must adhere to the Ministry’s communication protocols, including prior approval of news releases and media events. This ensures coordination and consistency in portraying Canada and Ontario's contributions to the initiatives.
Conclusion
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative is a comprehensive effort to bolster the biosecurity frameworks within Canada’s agriculture and food sectors, addressing potential threats and improving preparedness across the supply chain. By providing detailed guidelines, financial assistance, and support mechanisms, the initiative not only enhances the resilience of the sector but also fosters public trust and consumer confidence. Prospective applicants are encouraged to utilize this guide to navigate the application process successfully and contribute to a more secure and sustainable agri-food ecosystem.
