OTTAWA – The Canadian Pork Council said Olymel’s announcement of the closure of its Vallée-Jonction, QC plant is tough news for the industry.
“The reasons the company stated - the pandemic, an ongoing labour shortage, inflationary pressures and challenges with accessing foreign markets – have impacted the entire industry,” said Rene Roy, chair of the council. “We know food security is an ongoing question for governments across Canada, and food security starts with producers being able to compete and have buyers for their products.”
“This is tough news to hear, but we will work with governments and with our partners to find long-term solutions. This closure will impact Quebec, Atlantic Canada and other parts of the country, so a national solution is required.”
The pork industry is a $7-billion industry in Canada, with almost $5 billion in exports. “There are international markets for our products, and Canadian pork producers are cost-competitive globally,” said Roy. “We need our trade agreements to work for us, we need our agricultural policies to work for us, and we need to work together as an
industry to find long-term solutions.”
Roy thanked the Government of Canada and the Province of Quebec for their efforts to this point, and said producers are going to be part of the ongoing dialogue.
“For now, we need to focus on the almost 1,000 Olymel employees who will be laidoff in a rural region of Canada, and on the producers who need to find a new home to
sell their products,” said Roy. “The Canadian Pork Council will work with all those who can bring solutions to this challenge.”
Source : Canadian Pork Council