The Canadian Ministry of Agriculture & Agri-Food announced this week that it is investing in cutting-edge technology to assist the egg industry in the development of an electronic scan to determine the gender and fertility of eggs, which will help increase the capacity and efficiency of hatcheries.

The government of Canada said it is providing $844,000 to the Egg Farmers of Ontario to study ways to minimize waste and take a major step forward to address animal welfare matters.

“The Canadian egg industry is driving our economy and creating good jobs. The government of Canada is proud to support the Egg Farmers of Ontario for this first-of-its-kind study that will make Canada a world leader in animal welfare,” Lawrence MacAulay, minister of agriculture and agri-food, said. “This investment will help pilot a solution that will be welcomed both in Canada and around the world and will keep the egg industry strong and growing.”

The project is likely to lead to the commercial adoption of the imaging technology that enables eggs to be non-invasively scanned soon after they are laid. The project is supported by the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program, a funding initiative that helps the farming sector remain competitive by piloting solutions to new and ongoing challenges.

“With today's announcement, the government has taken a significant step in supporting innovation in Canada's egg sector,” Egg Farmers of Canada chairman Roger Pelissero said. “This investment in cutting-edge research offers new technology and processes that will help continuously improve and strengthen the entire egg supply chain — in Canada and around the world.”