Source: Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE, 1/17/17


The Government of Canada is providing $1.8 million (US$1.3 million) to the pork research sector to continue responding to consumer concerns around the humane treatment of animals, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced.

This sum brings the total government investment to $14.8 million (US$11.2 million) and will help to expand research already underway as part of the five-year (2013-18) research program. New research will address the issue of sow housing and improved living conditions for both sows and piglets.

Swine Innovation Porc, which manages the research program, works with industry, government and academia to facilitate research, technology transfer and commercialization initiatives designed to enhance the profitability of the Canadian pork value chain.

In 2015, Canada was the third-largest pork exporter, with sales of $3.45 billion (US$2.62 billion) to 95 countries.

The investment in the research cluster is part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriInnovation Program, a $698 million (US$531 million) initiative under the five-year Growing Forward 2 framework, designed to support research and development industry-led activities.

"This investment in research in animal health and welfare helps respond to the interests of consumers and will help put more money in the pockets of our producers,” said  Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com  .