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last update:Oct 3, 2006
Ex-premier helps Canadian meat processor
Former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard will assist
Canadian meat processor Olymel restructuring the pork sector in the
province.
The producer warns that growing losses threaten the
jobs of about 4,000 people.
Bouchard, premier from 1995 to 2001 and nowadays working at a law firm, has to carry out negotiations
with the company, its unions, other producers and stakeholders in the industry
"with an objective of finding lasting solutions to the grave problems facing the
company."
Shipments
Olymel accounts for 60% of Quebec pork production and employs 11,000 people
at plants in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta. The company ships about half its
production to the US, Japan and Australia.
However, the company has been hit hard by the rising Canadian dollar.
Besides that, volatile pig deliveries and high payroll costs are making life
difficult for Olymel. In addition, the company has been struck by a ban on new
pork production imposed in 2002; besides, it is struggling with the consequences
of an
PMWS outbreak.
Improve positions
"My task is to bring about, as soon as possible, the conditions that will
not only enable Olymel to continue its activities in the Quebec fresh-pork
sector but will also help to improve the position of the province's whole pork
industry in relation to what is happening elsewhere in North America," Bouchard
said.
This year, Olymel slaughters, processes and sells pork and poultry products
and is expected to generate about US $2.2 billion in sales.
Related website:
Editor PigProgress
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