Chinese tariffs have dealt a blow to the industry
Canada’s meat industry is asking the next federal government for support in the wake of Chinese tariffs.
Last month, China placed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian pork and seafood.
And some processors are estimated losses of over $100 million this year as a result.
Assistance is required to help these processors, and farmers, navigate the challenging times ahead, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) says.
"China's tariffs will have a significant impact on both employment and production, potentially leading to widespread layoffs or even closures of operations," Chris White, CEO of the Canadian Meat Council, said in a statement. "This situation is devastating—not only for meat processors, but also for the thousands of people employed and the communities that depend on them."
The organization is asking for targeted support specifically for the meat industry.
The federal government announced upgraded AgriStability assistance to help the agriculture and agri-food sectors affected by the tariffs.
For the 2025 program year, the compensation rate is increasing from 80 to 90 per cent.
But those won’t help the meat sector.
“To date, support measures such as those announced through the AgriStability fund have been wholly inadequate and inapplicable to processors, who are not eligible for this form of assistance,” the CMC said.
It’s time for party leaders to step up for the meat industry the same way the industry steps up to feed Canadians, the CMC added.