Pork producers from around the region gathered at Portage la Prairie's William Glesby Centre Wednesday for Manitoba Pork's annual fall meeting. During the meeting Manitoba Pork Council General Manager Andrew Dickson discussed their work on a number of issues.
One issue he's been involved with is Country of Origin Labelling in the U.S., which both beef and pork producers have been rallying against. Dickson provided an update on his recent trip to the World Trade Organization hearings in Geneva, Switzerland. He says Canada and Mexico both focused on the major economic impact, and they're now waiting on a report to see what happens next.
"The arbitration panel is expected to provide its report before Christmas, and we'll then know what the level of economic severity has been judged to be in Canada and Mexico. Canada is arguing the level of hurt is over $3 billion Canadian, the Mexican government is indicating the hurt is over $700 million U.S. on an annual basis. Of course, the Americans indicated they don't believe any of these numbers."
He says documents from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association from the federal election campaign have indicated the new federal Liberals support drastic tariffs imposed by the Canadian government, and they hope to see the Liberals support for beef and cattle producers continue.
The keynote speaker of the event was Leigh Rosengren of Rosengren Epidemiological Consulting LTD. She focused her presentation on the use of antibiotics in the livestock industry, and the recent campaigns promoting antibiotic-free meats. She says these types of campaigns have producers looking to retain their right to use these medications, while also looking at ways to do so in a matter that helps combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Source : SteinbachOnline