November 30, 2007

Canadian pork producers rally for government support

The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) called for concrete solutions from the government to remedy the losses incurred by producers.

Clare Schlegel, president of the council, commented that the crisis is reaching "epic proportions" for pig producers due to the soaring value of the Canadian dollar and high increases in feed prices.

Over the last few weeks, the Pork Council has met with Gerry Ritz, federal Agriculture Minister, senior officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food, federal Members of Parliament and representatives of provincial authorities to analyse the situation and to discuss how to overcome the crisis.

The council is requesting the government to improve the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilisation (CAIS) programme, for immediate advances against future CAIS payments and for short-term loans for producers.

Canadian pig producers raise around 31 million pigs every year. More than half is exported to US and Japan.