Evidence of meeting #143 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was asf.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
There's another advantage, in that the value of the product goes up. This whole situation has created demand in China, increasing the value of Canadian product exported to China, which in turn has boosted the market potential.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Do you think that's because of the disease or just because Chinese demand for pork is going up?
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
I'll start, and then Mr. Ross can take over.
To give you some context, based on official figures, we estimate that China has lost 15% of its pig population, primarily sows.
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
It's huge. That 15% is equivalent to the total output of the United States and Canada combined. The scale of these figures is a little hard to imagine, but bear in mind that China is by far the biggest pig producer in the world.
Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
I just want to add that the amount of production capacity that China has lost exceeds total global pork exports. The loss is so vast that it couldn't be made up by all global exporters combined.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
That's unbelievable.
I presume there would be significant repercussions if the problem reaches Canada. How confident are our hog farmers in the authorities right now? Are they confident that the outbreak won't reach our shores? That would be a catastrophe for them.
Vice-Chair, Canadian Pork Council
I've discussed it with many producers, and I can tell you their anxiety levels are very high. You need to realize that we export 70% of what we produce.
If the outbreak reaches Canada, we'll have to shut down our exports for at least a few days, or maybe longer if we're not well prepared. What will we do with the animals that represent that 70% share of our production?
Producers are extremely worried. They're happy with the announcements that have been made about protection at the border, especially the announcement of $31 million in funding to increase the number of detector dogs. However, we need a better traceability system, and we need to eradicate the disease vector, by which I mean wild pigs.
As you might imagine, there's a great deal of uncertainty and psychological distress right now at the thought that the disease could penetrate North America, through either Canada or the U.S.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
How would you describe your current relationship with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the CFIA, in relation to all the measures that have been put in place for this file over the past few weeks?
Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
Our relationship is absolutely incredible.
Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
Before I joined the Canadian Pork Council, I spent 30 years working at Agriculture Canada, as the department was called back then. Right now, its relationship with the sector is closer and stronger.
Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
We're more connected than ever. It's absolutely amazing. We have so many committees working on this file, and we have a direct line of communication. We communicate our vision and views directly. So our current relationship with the CFIA is really strong.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Has the relationship grown stronger since the disease became a threat to Canada?
Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council
There was already a solid foundation, but it's even better today.
Liberal
Pierre Breton Liberal Shefford, QC
Do you have a relationship with any farmers, other than pig farmers, who could be affected by this disease?
Liberal
