OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Berscheid Meats of The Pas, Manitoba, is receiving funding to help purchase and install an incinerator and handling equipment for the disposal of specified-risk material from its slaughter facilities and from nearby communities. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, Member of Parliament (Provencher) made the announcement with Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade Minister Peter Bjornson.

The financial partnership for this project includes a 60/40 federal/provincial contribution of $360,810 from the governments of Canada and Manitoba. Berscheid Meats provided 25% of the total project cost. The $6.5 million Canada-Manitoba Specified Risk Material Disposal Funding Program, funded on a 60/40 federal/provincial cost-share agreement helps private businesses and communities dispose of animal parts that need to be eliminated from all food chains because they are capable of transmitting bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

The intent of the initiative is to help abattoirs and meat processors meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations related to receiving, processing, using, exporting, containing or destroying SRM in any form that leaves the premise where they were generated (i.e., farm, slaughter plant or veterinary clinic).

“The incineration facility is an important equipment addition supporting the slaughter of beef and other ruminants in this region and will serve the local slaughter industry and the solid waste disposal needs of the neighboring communities in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner," said Bjornson on behalf of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers. "Not only will this system reduce the amount of animal/organic matter that would normally arrive at the local landfill, but this pro-active initiative will also help with any future needs for the disposal of animals that could be required due to disease or market interruptions. We are pleased to partner with Berscheid Meats in moving forward on this project."

"This innovative facility and SRM handling equipment provide for a long-term economically viable solution for the disposal of SRM within the region," said Jim Berscheid, president of Berscheid Meats. "This equipment operates in excess of 850°C providing a clean disposal method for solid waste."