Canadian Pork Council asks candidates to commit to supporting country’s swine sector
Canadian pork producers are calling on political candidates to commit to policies that support the country’s swine sector.
“Canadian pork producers work hard every day to provide high-quality, nutritious, affordable and sustainable protein to families in Canada and around the world,” said Rick Bergman, chair of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) in a press release. “They need parties to partner with them to deliver economic growth and prosperity for all Canadians.”
CPC said Canadian pork is increasingly in demand around the world and the value chain has significant growth potential, which is why Canadian pork producers are calling on candidates to support policies that partner with producers, protect the herd and promote the environment.
It said parties are needed to partner with producers to maximize the potential of the sector by committing to:
- Fix business risk management programs so they work for producers in need
- Facilitate access to skilled workers
- Defend, improve and expand market access
- Resolve trade barriers in China, the world’s largest pork importer
The health of Canadian pigs is one of the value chain’s greatest assets, but CPC says it is at risk. Parties should commit to protect the herd by committing CA$50 million (US$40 million) to implement the Pan-Canadian African swine fever action plan and establishing a Canadian foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank.
Canadian pork producers already have one of the lowest environmental footprints in the world and producers are taking the extra steps to make it more sustainable. Canadian Pork Council is asking parties to work with producers to promote the environment by, making emissions reductions by partnering with producers to further improve the environmental sustainability of Canadian pork and exempting farm fuels such as propane and natural gas from the carbon pricing system, which impacts competitiveness without reducing emissions.
“Pork producers are calling on candidates to commit to polices so producers can employ more Canadians, increase the value of exports and build better, more resilient communities from coast to coast,” said René Roy, CPC vice-chair.
