That's very nice. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
The Agency is maintaining oversight of domestic production and imported food products while also supporting trade and the supply chain, including through the certification of exports.
The Agency also temporarily suspended certain non-food safety labelling requirements for foodservice products so that they can be quickly repurposed for retail sale. Also, in order to prevent meat shortages, the CFIA has been working with the provinces and territories to enable the interprovincial trade of meat produced in provincially regulated establishments. To assist in these efforts, the CFIA received an additional $20 million in funding to support its efforts. This will help the Agency continue its important work to safeguard Canada's food system and better support the production demands of Canada's food industry.
In conclusion, although COVID-19 has taken a financial toll on the food processing sector, given its agility and its resilience, the sector can play a major role in the economic recovery.
My colleagues and I are pleased to be with you today and to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
As we look beyond COVID-19, we expect that there will be a greater emphasis on innovation in the food processing industry. Business spending on research and development is vital to ensure that Canada's food and beverage processing sector responds to shifts in consumer demand with globally competitive products and processes.
With continued support of Canadian innovators, we can capitalize on emerging technology areas and changing consumer demands and realize incredible growth opportunities in the food sector.
The Government of Canada is making targeted investments towards innovative companies in the value-added food processing sector through the strategic innovation fund or the innovation superclusters initiative.
To further strengthen this sector and realize these recommendations, the Government of Canada also awarded up to $30 million towards the Canadian Food Innovators Network, through the strategic innovation fund, for the development of a network that will accelerate innovation and collaboration specifically in the food processing sector.
With respect to investments, we continue to invest in industry to build capacity in the value-added food and beverage processing sector at the intersection between market opportunities and Canadian potential.
The Government of Canada's investment in the Protein Industries Canada supercluster, known as PIC, is an illustration of these efforts. Through the Innovation Canada supercluster program, the Government of Canada recognizes the potential of Canada's existing strength in areas such as pulses and the growing global demand for value-added plant-based foods.