Government of Canada Invests to Give Canadian Pork a Competitive Edge

May 14, 2010

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Today Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced an investment in research, traceability and product development that will boost the competitive edge Canadian hog producers need to succeed in domestic and international markets. The investment of over $15 million will help deliver a better profit back to the farm gate and strengthen the industry for the future.

"Our Government is dedicated to helping the pork industry not only recover, but also grow and capture new markets," said Minister Ritz. "These investments will build competitive advantages for our pork producers through research and development, through a strong traceability program and through the development of a premium product."

The Government of Canada investment will support four projects which include:

• $9.5 million for the Swine Cluster to bring together industry, government and scientists to address the research and development priorities of pork producers, including food safety, meat quality and feed input issues;
• $3.3 million for the Canadian Pork Council to strengthen the national swine traceability system, which is designed to track the movement of hogs across the country;
• $1.4 million for the Canadian Swine Exporters Association to promote pork in international markets through market development, brand building and industry-to-industry trade promotion; and,
• $839,480 for the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement to develop methods to predict marbling in hogs through better technology, genetics and feed, and to promote marbling as a major quality trait for domestic and international markets.

"The Canadian swine industry has a strong international reputation for high quality standards," stated Jurgen Preugschas, Chair, Canadian Pork Council. "The four initiatives announced today will serve to strengthen our industry by improving our competitiveness and further differentiating our products for both our Canadian and our international customers."

"These projects will get ideas off the drawing board and into the market where they can help our pork producers, processors and exporters improve margins, distinguish their product in the market and grow demand," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) who made this announcement simultaneously from Quebec City.

"Our Government is committed to responding to industry needs and priorities," said Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, Vic Toews, who made the announcement with Minister Ritz. "We want to ensure that the Canadian pork industry receives the recognition it deserves which will increase market access for our producers."

Canada’s Economic Action Plan and other programs such as Growing Forward and the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program support agriculture as a core economic driver in this country. The Government of Canada is focused on strengthening the economy and creating jobs for the future. These investments will help boost the economy and build an even stronger hog sector for Canadian farmers.