Wallaceburg - Bev Shipley, MP Lambton-Kent-Middlesex says Canada’s Conservative Government’s three-pronged approach will deliver immediate and long-term support to restructure the nation’s ailing hog industry.

Shipley says the government will make new investments in key marketing initiatives, provide government-backed credit to help viable operations weather the current economic uncertainty and help struggling operations to transition out of the industry.

Hog producers are in the midst of an ongoing crisis for their sector, brought on by several factors including a strong Canadian currency, rising energy costs, low pork prices, fallout from the outbreak of H1N1 influenza virus in April and country of origin labelling in the United States. To cope with ongoing issues, hog producers have been looking to the Government to provide assistance.

And Shipley added a word of advice to the media. “I know every pork producer in the country would appreciate it if the media would start referring to this flu by its real name: H1N1 influenza. Canadians know that Canadian pork is safe and it serves no purpose to undermine the confidence of consumers by constantly referring to H1N1 as swine flu.”

Shipley says the government’s announcement is being well-received by the pork industry.  In a news release Saturday following the announcement, Jurgen Preugschas, Chair of the Canadian Pork Council said his organization is pleased with the government’s commitment to the hog industry through the launch of the three key programs, adding, “As the transition plan is implemented, a leaner, greener and more innovative industry will emerge – one that is prepared to capitalize on both domestic and international opportunities.”

“This Government continues to show strong support for agriculture and the hog sector in these difficult economic times” said Shipley.  Our Government is working with the pork industry to help hog farmers recover or exit the industry, and to help the industry take advantage of new market opportunities.  My sense is these initiatives will be as well-received by my producers in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex as well as they are by the Canadian Pork Council.

The new initiatives being announced  include:

• An International Pork Marketing Fund of $17 million for eligible market research, promotion and access initiatives to find new customers for Canadian pork products.
• Long-term loans with government-backed credit that financial institutions can offer to allow viable hog operations to restructure their businesses. These long-term loans will be provided at market rates. Producers with sound business plans will be able to access short-term credit for operating costs such as feed and payroll.
• A Hog Farm Transition Program to allow producers to tender bids for the amount of funding they need transition out of the hog industry and cease hog production for at least three years. This program will invest up to $75 million to gradually reduce production and oversupply issues.