Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 16, The Canadian Meat Council is urging federal authorities and party leaders to provide support for the meat industry due to tariffs imposed by China on pork imports. These measures, effective since late March, include a 25% tariff on Canadian pork and seafood, alongside 100% tariffs on canola oil, meal, and peas.
“China’s tariffs will have a significant impact on both employment and production, potentially leading to widespread layoffs or even closures of operations,” said Chris White, CEO of the Canadian Meat Council, in a news release issued on Monday.
A February report from Farm Credit Canada indicates that Canada exported an average of 262,363 tonnes of pork annually to China between 2019 and 2023. The tariffs now threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers in the meat processing sector.
Current support measures, such as enhancements to the AgriStability program, have been deemed insufficient by the council. On March 22, Agriculture Minister Kody Blois announced an increase in the AgriStability compensation rate from 80% to 90% and a doubling of the $3 million payment cap for 2025. However, these measures do not apply to meat processors, who are ineligible for this assistance.
The Canadian Meat Council has called for direct financial aid tailored to meat processors, emphasizing its importance for both processors and the farmers who supply them. Some meat packing companies project losses exceeding $100 million this year due to the tariffs.
“As Party leaders focus their campaigns on the uncertainty surrounding our relationship with the U.S., I urge them to devote attention to the Chinese tariffs that are already causing destabilizing and damaging effects in our industry,” White said. “The meat industry has always stepped up to feed Canadians and power our economy. Now we need our government to step up for us.”
The council’s appeal highlights the need for targeted support to sustain the meat processing sector, which plays a vital role in Canada’s economy and food supply chain.
