The Canadian Meat Council is pleading for federal help to survive the 25 per cent tariffs China has Imposed on Canadian pork.
It said some packers will be forced out of business and losses for some could be $100 million.
The tariffs are in response to Canada’s 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electrical vehicles, a move that matched the U.S. tariff on the Chinese-made cars. China also tariffed Canadian canola oil and meal (but not seed) and peas.
To date, the support measures such as those announced through the AgriStability program have been “wholly inadequate and inapplicable to processors, who are not eligible for this form of assistance,” the council said.
Agriculture Minister Kody Blois increased the AgriStability compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and doubled the cap from $1.5 to $3 million.
The Canadian Meat Council wants “direct, targeted financial support” for meat processors.
Some packers are projecting losses of more than $100 million this year, the council said.
