Government assistance will pull hog industry through crisis, MLAs told Hog board says producers can survive until prices improve but support is essential
TERESA WRIGHT The Guardian
Reg MacDonald, left, and Anthony Nabuurs of the P.E.I. Hog Board tell the legislative committee on agriculture Tuesday the industry needs government to support Island hog producers until market prices improve. Guardian photo
It’s not over for the hog industry on P.E.I. so long as government helps producers through the current rough patch, says the P.E.I. Hog Board.
In a presentation to the legislature’s standing committee on agriculture, hog board chair Anthony Nabuurs said although the industry is in “severe crisis,” it is due to extreme external influences.
“Our sector has been severely impacted by what many have sadly come to call the perfect storm — the high Canadian dollar, soaring feed costs and low hog prices.”
And since the Natural Organic Food Group production plant went into receivership this month, producers are exiting the industry at an alarming rate, Nabuurs said.
Fewer than 80 are left on the Island. But all is not over for the industry.
A number of analysts are projecting hog prices will be high in early 2009, Nabuurs told on the committee.
“There’s a lot of those (producers) that are left that want to use the facilities they have and that are looking at that 2009 date and saying, ‘There may be some money in this business, and how do we get there’?”
They need government support to get them past the current crisis, Nabuurs said. He suggested lobbying the federal government for more support.
“I still say a lot of the reason we’re having these big problems is because of our federal policies and we should never give up on that.”
But agriculture critic Jim Bagnall questioned whether the hog industry had a future on P.E.I.
“We’re talking about the prices for grains still staying high in the future and for feed — is it going to be viable here on P.E.I. to keep the hog industry going? Because that’s going to be the real question.”
Nabuurs said yes, but only if the government helps to pull the hog farmers through the current crunch.
“Government support is essential for the survival and growth of the sector. Pig-producing regions that are supported by governments through the downturns are in a better position to rebound than those that did not receive government support.”
Hog farmers on P.E.I. can survive until the market prices improve, but they need a level playing field, said Reg MacDonald, who also sits on the hog board.
Other provinces getting government help are putting P.E.I. producers at a disadvantage.
“We’re looking at a deep chasm in front of us. But we’re not giving up on the industry because we feel it’s value and it’s value to P.E.I.”
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mother of 2 from Charlottetown, PE writes: We NEED our farmers. I want a safe reliable food supply that is regulated by our standards. Not imported food from argentina and the US. I don't have all the answers but I would rather see my tax dollars supporting Island and Canadian Farmers rather than wasted on NON ESSENTIAL services. I really believe Islanders are ready to start buying local - Come on chain supermarkets - time to get on board.... With continued public education I believe the natural and value added product is the future of successful and sustainable farming. There will be growing pains and we may need to provide public support to make it happen. this is our chance to lead the way into the future....
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Islander in Alberta from Alberta writes: buy yourself a couple pigs feed them in your backyard that plant is a money trap always has been the big chain stores dont care why should we have to keep payingyou complaind to them no so complain we have been waiting for the price of hogs to go up for alot of years we will be waiting till the cows come home
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shawn worth from vancouver, b.c writes: The thing is , the supermarket's are owned by the american's . Supermarket's are in buisness to make money and the only they can do that is buying low and screwing the customer with the highest price.
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Islander in Alberta from Alberta writes: buy yourself a couple pigs feed them in your backyard that plant is a money trap always has been the big chain stores dont care why should we have to keep payingyou complaind to them no so complain we have been waiting for the price of hogs to go up for alot of years we will be waiting till the cows come home
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jean simmonds from ch'town, pei writes: You dope from Alberta. You stay out there away from your family and get paid the big bucks - for what. what will happen to you when the oil business is no more. You will be home here looking for social assistance complaining. These farmers are the people who put food on our table. Easy for you to sit and complain wait until there is a food shortage and you will be not able to but food at the local supermarket oh but maybe by the time the cloned meat will be available -CHEW ON THAT
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Old Fisherman from PEI writes: Given the struggles in our industry and lack of support in times of need from the government,as a south side fisherman I share your goals and pain.Good luck and never give up,this province needs you to succeed...
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bye-bye chains chains from pei writes: farmers need to start operating like the big chain stores.They say they are taking all the profits,well it would be a good time to elimnate this problem by side steping these guys and go directly to the consumer.This will solve they profit losses.Goverment and the 'front men' for this plant will ignore this suggestion until the cows come home,wonder why this is. maybe the have other ideas for rural pei.how many reasons can oponents find as to why this approach will not work. [ingore the solution long enough and maybe it will be forgotten seems to their approach
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American? from PEI writes: The grocery store chains here are not American owned. Sobeys I'm sure everyone knows was started and is still controlled out of New Glasgow,NS and Loblaws who own the Super Stores if I'm not mistaken are from Ontario. I'll give you one chain that is American,Walmart, and yes sell some groceries lately. But you are still right,the prices are profit driven,the same as any other business in the free world.
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me again from pei writes: Where in the charlottetown area can you buy local meats if the main grocery stores aren't selling it? I think the public are ready to support local farmers - just start advertising who you are selling your meat / products too. I forget where it is but I hope that bakeshop (discussed on Compass) selling Island meats does well.
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Islander in Alberta oo from Charlottown, PEI writes: I'm glad the goverment is going to help. But if you get a $1.00 plan on loosing 10.00 it's the goverment way. I hope some one out side the goverment is in control or it'll be another big miss like the fishing and farming, lumber and o yes our medic centres. The list can go on all night. In the pass they the proved they can turn a diamond in to dirt! If it cost the average Joe $5.00 to fix the goverment will spend a million just to look at it.
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