July 27, 2007

Ontario lands as Canada's highest environment costs for hog operations

Canada's hog operation costs complying with environment regulations are highest in Ontario and lowest in New Brunswick, according to a study.

The study, conducted by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), also said environmental costs are also lower in Quebec despite its tight hog farming standards compared to other provinces. On the other hand, the province of Saskatchewan is strongly competitive in terms of net income per hog before and after the implementation of environment regulations. Nova Scotia has the greatest competitive disadvantage in terms of net income per hog due to higher estimated building costs, revealed the study. 

The study -- in support by the George Morris Centre and the Prairie Swine Centre-- aims to assess the economic impact of the environmental regulations on the competitiveness of hog farms in Canada as well as hog farmers' environmental compliance in accordance to cost.

The research used a model farrow-to-finish operation as a case study.