Canadian Pork Council applauds aspects of the federal budget

In a recent press release, the Canadian Pork Council chair Rene Roy said the federal budget’s establishment of a vaccine bank for foot-and-mouth disease, and its support for the growth of the biofuels industry, are excellent steps for Canada’s pork industry.

“The vaccine bank, and the transportation supply chain office, are proof that governments can partner with producer groups to solve issues,” said Roy. “We know these are steps on a path to ever-depending partnerships with the agriculture sector.”

The budget also outlines an increase in interest relief for agriculture producers under the Advance Payments Program from $250,000 to $350,000 for 2023 program year.

“The by-products of the biofuels industry may be important feedstocks for our sector, so we look forward to working with government and the sector in meeting the growing demand for lower emissions fuels,” said Roy.

“We also applaud the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring preferred free trade access to the whole G7, and two-thirds of global consumers through the new NAFTA, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership," he added.

Roy said the budget shows there remains work to be done to help Canada’s agriculture sector, but he said the government is listening.

“This is a journey, not a destination,” Roy said. “Investing in the agriculture sector is in the strategic national interest of every country, and we know this government understands the incredible success story of Canadian food security is not to be taken lightly.

“On behalf of pork producers, we will continue to tell our story and advocate for the government’s ongoing improvements to regulations and investments in the sector," he concluded.