Pork Council reacts to government response
In a statement on Tuesday, the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) has announced that it is pleased about the federal and provincial governments’ recognition of the current difficult challenges facing the industry.
However, the organisation has recognised the serious need to find solutions for Canada’s pig producers. Mr 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.
Losses for producers
“Producers”, he said are “facing unparalleled losses due to circumstances they have no control over. The time for action has come. Pig producers need to know to what extent they can count of the government to assist them through this difficult period “.
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 survive as an industry.
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.
Nearly 31million pigs are raised by Canada’s 11,000 pig producers yearly. More than 50% of this amount is exported mainly to the US and Japan.
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