The federal government has announced 7.8 million dollars will be spent to help keep workers safe at prairie meat plants.

The special federal representative for the prairies, Jim Carr, says the Emergency Processing funds will support 24 meat processing companies across the prairies.

He says the funding helps these businesses keep employees safe and the regional food supply chain running strong.

He says the companies are using the funding to make adjustments to enable social distancing, purchase  personal protective equipment, install protective barriers, improve sanitation and develop training for employees.

Carr adds these changes are also helping the food plants avoid production bottlenecks and safely keep up with Canadian consumer demand.

The announcement was made alongside two of the 24 recipients, Winkler Meats Ltd., a federally inspected abattoir and processing plant in Manitoba, which is receiving up to $1.4 million dollars and Viva Deli, a meat processing and retail operation in Alberta, which is receiving up to $70 thousand dollars.

The three Saskatchewan plants to receive support include Drake Meat Processors, Pineview All Natural Meats and Prairie Pride Natural Foods.
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