Canadians Eating More Beef, Pork

Jun 24, 2013

Canadians Eating More Beef, Pork

According to figures released by the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), domestic consumption of beef and pork rose in 2012, while chicken consumption dropped.

Beef consumption is up 1.1 percent, with pork consumption rising by 4 percent and chicken falling by 0.8 percent. According to the CCA, chicken consumption hit its peak in 2007. Over a 40-year period, Canadians have consumed between 66 to 75kg of protein on an annual basis.

In 2012, beef consumption was impacted by lower exports and some higher imports in the last quarter of 2012, following the E. coli recall. Beef imports increased 27 percent in 2012.

Beef prices in 2012 were 20 percent higher compared to 2007. This marks the second year in a row where demand increased, in 2011 it rose 0.3 percent.

The figures were published in CCA’s June newsletter.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.