Canada gives meat giant Cargill $10 million to modernize High River plant
Minister of State (Finance) Ted Menzies, on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced a $10 million investment in Cargill Meat Solutions’ agricultural technologies to keep the livestock sector competitive and to reduce its environmental footprint.
“This investment will enhance Cargill Meat Solutions’ competitiveness by reducing waste and cutting costs,” says Menzies. “This new equipment will also increase sustainability by using specified risk materials, land fill waste and compost material as fuel sources.”
The project involves the purchase and installation of new equipment designed to safely dispose of specified risk materials, 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.
It is expected to generate annual savings for the company through reduced costs for handling and disposal of specified risk materials, and savings from electricity and natural gas reduction.
The new process is expected to reduce approximately 60 per cent of the plant’s steam load, currently produced using natural gas, and 15 per cent 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,” says Cargill Meat Solutions General Manager Scott Entz. “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.”
The investment falls under the Slaughter Waste Innovation Program announced in Budget 2010. Through the 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 complete details of the program, visit http://www.agr.gc.ca/swip.
Agriculture is a vital economic driver in Canada. The Canadian Government also invests in the agriculture sector through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To find out more, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
Category: Canada
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