Canadian Pork Council (CPC) and the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) representatives gathered with Parliamentarians, government officials and partners to discuss industry issues, including African swine fever (ASF), improved trade access, and ongoing access to labor and immigration programs during the industry’s fall meetings in Ottawa.
CPC and the CMC highlighted the need for an ASF trade recovery program to ensure Canada’s pork producers can swiftly regain market access and stabilize the industry in the event of an outbreak, the organizations said in a release. Both groups stressed the importance of a reliable agricultural workforce, urging the government to prioritize solutions that support the sector’s year-round labor needs that are essential to maintaining production.
“This were important days for our industry,” René Roy, chair of the CPC, said in a release. “By joining forces with CMC, we presented a united front to advocate for the priorities of the Canadian pork sector. Our conversations emphasized the urgent need to address challenges like ASF, expand trade opportunities, and agriculture’s unique labor needs, priorities which are crucial for sustaining and growing our industry. We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers to advance these priorities.”
This year’s joint effort underscored the need to build strong relationships with policymakers and amplify the voice of Canada’s pork industry.
“Our joint lobby day showcased the power of collaboration,” Chris White, president and CEO, CMC, Canada Pork. “Together, we were able to effectively spotlight issues affecting both producers and processors in a way that demonstrates our industry’s cohesive vision for the future. We are grateful to all the parliamentarians and officials who joined us and look forward to building on these discussions.”
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