To support and strengthen the pork sector, the Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honorable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, has announced up to $10.6 million to Swine Innovation Porc through the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, an initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

"Focusing on research in the pork industry will enable our producers and processors across the country to improve productivity and quality. The investment announced today will ensure the sector's competitiveness and the industry's sustained growth, both nationally and internationally," said Bibeau.

"With this funding, we're making sure our pork producers have the tools they need to continue to be leaders in the agriculture sector. This will create opportunities for innovation so we can meet the growing global demand for our world-renowned Canadian pork," said MacAulay.

The Cluster seeks to enhance Canada's leading position in the global pork sector by conducting strategic research initiatives that will advance sustainability, resilience and growth opportunities. Research activities are expected to:

SIP has successfully delivered the three previous Swine Clusters. Successes of the previous Clusters include feeding strategies to increase productivity, decreased antibiotic use and improved pork quality, new methods to advance biosecurity within the Canadian swine transport industry, and a tool to classify Canadian pork based on quality attributes.

In addition to the Swine Cluster, Minister Bibeau also announced $1 million through the Greening Government Fund to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to replace the ventilation system and controls at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre's swine barn with heat recovery fans capable of higher efficiency. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat provides funding for projects under the GGF, a component of the Greening Government Strategy, which outlines targets to reduce the GHG emissions from federal operations. AAFC has also received $835,000 from the GGF to replace the current oil-based heating system in the Normandin Research Farm's main building with a pellet biomass heating system to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.  

"The Greening Government Fund is fostering the innovation that we need to deliver a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and clean economy. With green projects like the updates to the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre and the Normandin Research Farm, we are continuing the work to strengthen our economy while fighting against climate change and supporting Canada's sustainability goals," said Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board, and Minister responsible for the Greening Government Fund and the Greening Government Strategy.

"This investment in the fourth Swine Research Cluster will help deliver science-based solutions for the benefit of Canadian pork producers, processors, and exporters. By mobilizing critical research and building on our scientific capacity, Swine Cluster 4 will position our industry to better address ever-changing consumer preferences, regulatory realities, and production potential," said Arno Schober, chair, Swine Innovation Porc and Ontario pork producer.