October 2, 2003

Canadian Research On Meat and Bone Meal Ban

To understand the economic impact on the swine industry of banning meat and bone meal (MBM), a Canadian Swine Research Group, Ontario Pork, has commissioned an independent research study.

The study, which was kicked off in early September, will consider all industry stakeholders including: renderers, feed manufacturers, producers, processing plants, and transporters.

Some components of the research are; the economic impact to the Ontario Pork producer of not feeding meat and bone meal, the costs associated with tests on hogs and investigations into the implications for stakeholders, among other things.

All hogs marketed through Ontario Pork must be MBM free as of March 1, 2004 and the study will review the costs and long-term consequences associated with the ban.

The final research report, expected in February 2004, will provide an update on the status of the rendering industry and a summary of regulations in other jurisdictions.

It will also identify producer costs associated with being MBM free and provide insights into the possible marketing advantage Ontario could gain by banning the feeding of recycled animal products.