Canadian pork producers are applauding the funding allocated to the Canadian Meat Council on behalf of the Canadian meat industry. On Monday Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament–St. Catharines announced the investment of up to $1,072,335 to the CMC under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership's AgriMarketing program, while attending the 99th Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

In collaboration with the Canadian Pork Council and the Canada Cattlemen's Association, the investment will help the CMC undertake such activities as inspection visits by international officials to ensure that Canadian facilities meet food safety requirements. It will help build relationships with foreign industry partners, and also provide timely information and expertise for global trade missions. Increasing markets will benefit Canadian producers and processors and provide an avenue to maximize the value of pork and beef products.

“Building new and positive trade relationships brings greater value and diversity to Canada's agri-food sector,” says Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “This funding will help the meat industry open new markets and promote their world-class products so they can stand out from the competition here in Canada and around the world.”

Along with the CMC and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the Canadian Pork Council will benefit from the funds allocated by the federal government in the development and participation in international missions and activities for better trade access and policy development.

“The Canadian Pork Council would like to thank the federal government and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the AgriMarketing funding that will allow us to further build relationships encouraging trade, diversifying markets and removing barriers” says Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council chair.

International trade and access to key markets are of utmost importance to Canadian pork producers as 70% of production is exported. In turn, trade supports 103,000 Canadian jobs and $23.8 billion dollars in economic activity for the country.

Sources: Canadian Pork Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada, who is solely responsible for the information provided, and wholly owns the information. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.