Canadian Meat Council calls for federal support for pork processors, producers

The Canadian Meat Council is calling on the federal government and party leaders to support the country’s meat industry in the face of Chinese tariffs on pork, which it says threaten thousands of jobs.

“China’s tariffs will have a significant impact on both employment and production, potentially leading to widespread layoffs or even closures of operations,” said Canadian Meat Council CEO Chris White in a Monday news release.

Chinese tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian pork and seafood imports took effect in late March, along with 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, and peas.

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According to an FCC report this February, between 2019 and 2023, Canada averaged annual exports of 262,363 tonnes of pork to China.

Supports ‘wholly inadequate’

To date, the support measures like those announced through the AgriStability program have been “wholly inadequate and inapplicable to processors, who are not eligible for this form of assistance,” the new release said.

On March 22, federal Agriculture Minister Kody Blois said the AgriStability compensation rate would be upped to 90 per cent from 80 per cent and the $3 million payment cap would be doubled for 2025.

The Canadian meat council called for “direct, targeted financial support” for meat processors, which it called critical for the viability of packers and for the farmers who depend on them.

Some packers are projecting losses of over $100 million this year, it added.

“As Party leaders focus their campaigns on the uncertainty surrounding our relationship with the U.S., I urge them to devote attention to the Chinese tariffs that are already causing destabilizing and damaging effects in our industry,” White said.

“The meat industry has always stepped up to feed Canadians and power our economy. Now we need our government to step up for us.”

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