Government of Canada Working to strengthen Traceability for Maple Syrup

This funding will enable the FPAQ to examine the feasibility of using radio frequency identification chips, an innovative technology that would allow the tracking of maple syrup barrels.

2/17/2011 --- The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), announced an investment of up to $110,260 to the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec (FPAQ) to enhance maple syrup traceability from farm production to processing.

"Canadian maple syrup producers offer a unique product enjoyed by many consumers both domestically and on the international market," said Minister Blackburn. "This funding will help strengthen maple syrup traceability to improve product quality and origin labelling."
 
This funding will enable the FPAQ to examine the feasibility of using radio frequency identification chips, an innovative technology that would allow the tracking of maple syrup barrels. This technology would also provide better readability and identification capacity, and better movement control. Further, with each barrel being inspected, the ability to store and monitor syrup quality would be greatly improved.
 
"Given the numerous stakeholders involved in the management of bulk syrup sales in Quebec, this project will result in better follow-up of sales for the 160,000 to 225,000 barrels of bulk maple syrup that are marketed each year in Quebec. Automating the traceability of every barrel will facilitate this important management step for the sales agency. At the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles, we are continuously searching for ways to improve our processes, so we are very happy to see our work methods optimized by this project," said Serge Beaulieu, president of the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec.
 
Under the Canadian Industry Traceability Infrastructure component of the Canadian Integrated Food Safety Initiative, the Government of Canada supports organizations in the development and implementation of traceability processes and systems.