December 7, 2021 – Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Today, during a video address at Le Porc Show, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced an investment of more than $4.6 million for three projects to grow the pork industry within Canada and in international markets, and to help farms continue to ensure high levels of safety in the face of the threat of African swine fever. These investments build on Canada’s internationally-renowned reputation as a supplier of high-quality and sustainably-produced pork products.
Through an investment of more than $3.2 million, Canada Pork International will undertake export market development initiatives to maintain and improve access to international markets, and develop promotional activities and tools to increase market share in priority markets. Funding of more than $550,000 will support the Canadian Pork Council’s national marketing activities to increase consumption and value domestically. This funding will also support the Council’s work to enhance international relationships and coordination with members across the value chain. These projects are supported under the federal AgriMarketing Program.
Minister Bibeau also announced an additional $850,000 for the Council to help industry prevent and prepare for African swine fever. This builds on previously announced funding of more than $3.8 million for the Canadian Pork Excellence platform, which integrates three principal on-farm programs: PigSAFE, a food safety and biosecurity program; PigCARE, an animal care program; and PigTRACE, a traceability program. These projects are funded through the federal AgriAssurance Program.