René Roy, president of the Canadian Pork Council, said the top priority following Olymel’s decision to close one of its pork-packing plants in Quebec is the 1,000 employees and the farmers whose hogs are marketed to there.
He thanked the federal and Quebec governments “for their efforts to this point” and said producers will continue to be part of the dialogue.
There have been indications that the governments have been asked to participate in funding a producer buy-out program.
Olymel cited a labour shortage, inflationary pressures and challenges accessing markets such as China for its decision to close the plant.
Roy said the impact will be felt not only in Quebec, but also across Eastern Canada, so it’s a national issue.
In Ontario is has meant that hogs previously slaughtered at Olymel have been sent to Manitoba and deeper into the United States.
Roy said “we know food security is an ongoing question for governments across Canada and food security starts with producers being able to compete and have buyers for their products.”
