Assurance Systems Program

For Prince Edward Island agri-food businesses, managing food safety, biosecurity, traceability, and emergency preparedness has become a core part of staying competitive and meeting buyer expectations. The Assurance Systems Program is designed to help organizations across the agriculture and agri-food sector strengthen how they anticipate and respond to risks that affect people, animals, plants, and markets. Delivered by the PEI Department of Agriculture and Land, the program supports practical, project-based investments that improve confidence in how food is produced, processed, and handled.

Support through the Assurance Systems Program is cost-shared and non-repayable, helping offset a portion of the costs associated with implementing recognized assurance systems. Projects may focus on areas such as on-farm food safety programs, HACCP or GFSI-aligned controls, animal welfare practices, biosecurity standards, traceability systems, or surveillance and emergency management planning. While the program is often led by industry groups, processors, and post-farm enterprises that influence adoption across a sector, individual projects may also be considered where they offer clear, broader industry value. Funding levels vary depending on the scope and impact of the project.

Due to strong demand, the program is currently paused and is expected to reopen in spring 2026. For PEI agri-food enterprises and organizations planning future investments in assurance systems, reviewing the full program details can help determine how this opportunity may fit into upcoming projects and compliance goals.