Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The chicken industry in Canada is a growth and value-addition success story. Production has increased 12% over the last four years, and will increase another 4% this year.
Just to give you a sense of what the sector comprises, there are 244 hatching egg farms, 40 hatcheries, 125 feed mills, 2,800 chicken farmers, and 191 processing plants across the country. They contribute $7.2 billion to Canada's gross domestic product; they sustain 95,000 jobs, and they pay $2.3 billion in taxes. We're making significant capital investments as we're growing our business: new feed mills, new hatcheries, and expanded processing plants. For example, in Ontario alone there are 100 new barns under construction. These innovative barns have changed from what you think of as the typical farm. Our barns have changed, but our values haven't. We still care about our fellow Canadians. That's why this food policy is important to us, and why we are focused on a secure, affordable supply of safe and nutritious chicken that is raised with care.
As we present before you in terms of a national food policy, I think it is important to acknowledge that Canadian farmers and their agrifood partners first and foremost provide food for Canadians. The issue of affordability is a complex one. It is one that's driven primarily by low incomes, not by the value that we provide in the industry. Canadians, on average, only spend 10% of their disposable income on food. I think we do a good job across the whole agrifood sector.
Chicken is the most affordable meat protein. I think that's a key reason it is Canada's most consumed meat, but the challenge before us is to make sure it remains affordable. Right now, for us and all of animal agriculture, the real threat to affordability is the security coming from activists who are masquerading as consumers. These activists are extorting our restaurant partners. They're maligning our farmers. They're campaigning against the humane transportation of animals. They're campaigning to take chicken and other meats out of Canada's food guide. Their ultimate objective is to dictate to Canadians what they can and cannot eat, and they are trying to reach their goal by driving up the cost, and that's the affordability issue of nutritious food for consumers.
As chicken farmers, we are not in a position to address issues related to low incomes; that is a broader context than we're able to address. That being said, we fully support food banks—all our partners across the country. We think it's a stopgap measure. I think food banks would tell you it's a stopgap measure. Every one of our provincial boards has programs. In Ottawa, we've been a partner with the Ottawa Food Bank for the past 10 years. We've provided $500,000 over the last 10 years in both chicken that goes out as protein sources to people and in donations. Many of you have participated in our recipe contests and earned contributions to your own food banks across the country.
A national food policy needs to recognize the choices that Canadians make toward healthy eating. The Canada food guide is a key part of that. Chicken is nutritious and contributes to the health of Canadians. It needs to be maintained in the Canada food guide. Canada's chicken farmers are already addressing the food policy's goal regarding food safety. In 2013, we were the first commodity to have an on-farm food safety program that was officially recognized by the CFIA. We want to move so that there is a program in place for on-farm animal care as well.
We're also responding to concerns from consumers on antimicrobial resistance and use. In 2014, we eliminated the use of class 1 antibiotics. Earlier this year we agreed to eliminate class 2 by the end of 2018, and class 3 by the end of 2020.
In terms of the environment, we've recently expanded our “raised by a Canadian farmer” program, and we gave you the little blurb in terms of putting it out to the public to incorporate sustainable practices.
Our supply management system for chicken production ensures that chicken production is spread out across the country. Chicken manure is a valuable resource for crop farming. With it being spread out, we make sure that it's put out and provides fertilizer in a sustainable manner.
We are also at the finishing stages of a life-cycle assessment, looking at sustainability in our industry from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. We think that a 360° view would allow us to focus on where we can get the biggest bang for our buck in terms of environmental improvements. We are all about continuous improvement. I think we are much farther along than others would give us credit for.
In conclusion, our industry is focused on innovation and value addition. We grow and process all our chickens in Canada. We further process and add value in Canada. We are investing in our future, making capital investments, and the immense growth of the industry speaks to the trust that Canadians have in the chicken they consume.
Thank you. I look forward to your questions.