News Release
Government Funding Programs Fall Short of Pork Producers' Needs
ETOBICOKE, ON, JANUARY 20, 1999 - Pork producers in Ontario were pleased with tile timeliness of the government funding announcement in December. Unfortunately the program criteria potentially limits the number of producers who quality for funding. The Whole Farm Income Relief program was designed to help farmers through short-term emergency situations.
Pork prices reached record lows in December, and the price is currently well below cost of production. The severe drop in prices occurred in the last two months of 1998, and into early 1999. Based on full year income averaging, the majority of farms will not qualify. Inventory values in the funding application are another factor that will prevent many farmers from triggering a payment.
"Pork producers are at the end of their lines of credit, as the entire industry is being leveraged at debilitating levels. This crisis goes beyond Ontario's 6000 pork producers. The 36,000 other jobs that rely on the pork industry in Ontario, including feed and equipment suppliers, veterinarians, and transporters are also in jeopardy with unpaid bills piling up," stated Will Nap, Chair, Ontario Pork.
What do pork producers want? Pork producers are asking for a Whole Farm Income Relief program that actually works for farmers, Ontario Pork, together with industry supporters, is asking for an immediate government supported loan program. The pork industry in Ontario is progressive and competitive, positioned for the future. It needs and deserves the appropriate government attention.
Ontario Pork represents 6,000 producers in Ontario in many areas including hog marketing, consumer education, research, government representation, environment, animal care and quality assurance programs.
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