The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and Canadian Meat Council (CMC) recently gathered with Parliamentarians, government officials, and industry partners in Ottawa to address the key priorities of the Canadian pork sector, including the African Swine Fever (ASF) response, trade access, and labor and immigration programs essential to the pork industry.
Key Points Discussed:
- African Swine Fever (ASF) Preparedness: The CPC and CMC emphasized the importance of establishing an ASF trade recovery program to quickly restore market access and stabilize the pork sector in the event of an outbreak.
- Trade Access: Improved trade access remains a priority to expand opportunities for Canadian pork producers in international markets.
- Labor and Immigration Programs: The councils highlighted the need for a reliable, year-round agricultural workforce and urged the government to prioritize solutions to address labor shortages affecting the industry.
“By joining forces with the Canadian Meat Council, we presented a united front to advocate for the priorities of the Canadian pork sector,” said René Roy, Chair of the CPC. “Our discussions underscored the urgent need to address challenges like ASF, trade expansion, and agricultural labor needs, which are crucial to sustaining and growing our industry.”
Collaboration and Advocacy
This year’s joint advocacy efforts demonstrated the CPC’s and CMC’s commitment to strengthening relationships with policymakers and representing the interests of Canada’s pork industry. Chris White, President and CEO of CMC, highlighted the power of collaboration, stating, “Our joint lobby day showcased the power of collaboration, allowing us to effectively address issues impacting both producers and processors with a unified industry vision.”
Annual PorkFest Reception
The event concluded with the annual PorkFest reception, attended by government officials and industry representatives, including the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and John Barlow, Shadow Minister for the Official Opposition. The reception celebrated the dedication of Canadian pork producers and fostered further discussions on industry priorities.
