Contracts in Jeopardy
Even the threat of tariffs has already had a chilling effect on the industry. Tara Terpstra, Chair of Ontario Pork, emphasized the financial strain on Canadian producers. “Many are concerned about whether contracts will be renewed under these uncertain conditions,” she said. “These tariffs threaten to disrupt a sector that supports thousands of jobs and contributes to food security across North America.”
Cross-Border Collaboration Needed
Dahl and other industry leaders stress the need for collaboration between provincial governments, industry groups, and U.S. stakeholders. “We need a strategic plan for agriculture and food trade that ensures stability,” Dahl said. Manitoba Pork is actively engaging with partners in Iowa and Minnesota to push the message that tariffs and border disruptions would be detrimental to farmers and consumers in both countries.
In addition to potential tariffs, the industry is also grappling with broader trade uncertainties, including discussions on voluntary country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and the upcoming renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in 2026. Darcy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Alberta Pork, said these issues add further instability to an already tense situation. “It’s a lot of trade issues to navigate all at once,” he said.
Long-Term Implications
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