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Agri-food
Support for the implementation of HACCP-based quality assurance systems
Food quality and safety are of growing concern to Québec consumers and the global population in general. The various outbreaks observed around the world, in both the food industry and the area of animal health, have helped make consumers more careful and more demanding with regard to food quality. The government therefore introduced assistance measures in its last Budget Speech to support the implementation of tracing systems to enable Québec to monitor production.
Today, the government is taking this initiative even further by supporting the implementation of quality assurance systems based on the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point). HACCP systems are designed to improve food safety through the implementation of internal control measures in businesses operating in the food production and processing, restaurant and retail sectors.
The program, which will be administered by the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation, aims to support businesses throughout the bio-food chain in the development, implementation and certification of food safety standards or programs that integrate HACCP principles. The Bureau de la normalisation du Québec (BNQ) will be responsible for system certification.
The appropriations allocated to the ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation will be raised by $5 million in 2002-2003 for that purpose.
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