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last update:Jan 14, 2008
CPC disappointment at government assistance
In a press release, the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) has
stated that Canada's 11,000 hog farmers are deeply disappointed that Prime
Minister Stephen Harper, who is meeting today with Provincial Premiers, is still
not prepared to provide what they perceive as the desperately needed help to
keep the country's historic hog industry alive.
"Hog producers are losing their farms across our country, not because of
their management ability, but because of a chain of events beyond their control,
the dollar, the low in the hog cycle, and the huge run-up in feed prices," said
Clare Schlegel, President of the CPC.
Harper announced plans yesterday to help communities and workers in other
parts of Canada's traditional industries including forestry and manufacturing
but the Federal Government has not yet signalled it is prepared to help
livestock production.
Huge losses
The Canadian hog industry exports two out of
every three hogs produced in the country. The combination of the high Canadian
dollar and soaring feed costs has translated into huge losses for Canadian
farmers.
Schlegel said that hog farmers from coast-to-coast need immediate help
through loans - not grants or hand-outs - to survive these coming months.
"The value-added livestock industry is needed in Canada," said Schlegel. "We
call on our government for increased support, as has already happened in other
competing countries." Each day the government delays increases the likelihood of
a Canadian hog farmer being forced out of business because of the crushing
costs.
The Canadian Pork Council represents Canada's 11,000 hog producers in nine
provinces. It has recently been in the news on numerous occasions calling for
government assistance to aid pig farmers.
Related website:
• CPC
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