Calls for Proposals for the Provincial Government’s recently announced Development of Regional Abattoirs and Beef Industry Enhancement initiatives are now open.

These initiatives, announced June 19, include:

• $2.5 million to support Requests for Proposals to establish secondary beef processing facilities in the province; and
• $1 million to provide 10 beef cows to 20 beef operations in the province to improve the quality and number of animals produced in Newfoundland and Labrador, support industry expansion, and increase food self-sufficiency.

Individuals, producer cooperatives, or associations are invited to submit proposals to explore the development of up to four abattoirs, possibly one in each region: Labrador, Western Newfoundland, Central Newfoundland, and Eastern Newfoundland. This initiative aims to address lack of access to proper slaughter and packing facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, which has become an impediment to growth for the province’s beef and sheep sectors. The application form can be found online and the deadline for proposals is July 17, 2020.

Commercial farmers or new farmers who have had past experience in raising beef cattle are invited to apply to raise up to 10 bred female purebred beef cattle to help advance the genetic diversity of the beef industry and grow the sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. The application form is online and the deadline for proposals is July 31, 2020.

These initiatives are part of a plan to support employment in rural communities and help open new markets and products for renewable resource-based businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic, including nearly $13 million to create jobs in the agriculture sector and assist farmers and producers.

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“Newfoundland and Labrador produces less than one per cent of the beef we consume here. Our agriculture producers are ready to change that statistic by producing local, superior beef stock to increase food self-sufficiency. Increasing local red-meat production opens the door to establish certified abattoirs to process and store meat close to home. Success breeds success, and we’re building on our many successes to ensure a strong and bright future for Newfoundland and Labrador’s beef sector.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

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Learn more

Call for Proposals for Provincial Beef Industry Enhancement Initiative

Call for Proposals for Development of Regional Abattoirs

Provincial Government Announces $13 Million for Plan to Develop Agriculture Sector and Create Jobs

Research Project Demonstrating Potential to Supply Local, High-Quality Beef

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca