Canada Pork
International has a technology to measure pork quality and if it’s adopted,
could make Canada a world leader in export markets.
The
technology builds on a colour-measuring device that launched in 2012 and is now
widely used by Canadian pork packers.
“We want to create an actual pork grading system that will
give Canada the edge as an innovator and allow us to select the absolute best
product for the right market,” said Michael Young, vice-president for technical
programs and marketing services with Canada Pork International.
"There is no meat quality based grading system that I'm aware of in the world now.
Most grading systems that are out there are based on lean meat, basically the meat to bone ratio and lean meat.
"This would allow Canada, number one, to be first with a meat quality based selection system so we would be the first to have this and it would allow us to reduce inconsistencies in product quality and again get the right products to the right market.
"That's critical for supplying," said Young.
"The consistency of the quality is critical for our end user partners."
Young acknowledges the idea is still in its infancy but there is interest in the concept.
