"The only way to get through this crisis with our industry and our dignity intact is to maintain a level head," says Ontario Pork chairman Will Nap. "Ontario Pork is doing everything it can to encourage timely government relief, an expedient end to the strike at Quality Meats and to maintain some sense of calm among our producers."
Ontario Pork is in ongoing consultations with the Ontario Ministry of Labour. While negotiations are continuing, legal action is inappropriate. The government cannot stop private industry from striking nor can they legislate workers back to their jobs. Hogs are being moved on a rotating basis and Ontario Pork and their assemblers ask that producers work with their organization by not circumventing the logistics they have put in place.
The Board is in daily contact with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Ruial Affairs and expects to have details outlining what information producers can be gathering today to prepare to complete applications and expedite payments. In the meantime, Ontario Pork is encouraging its producers to continue meeting with their bankers and suppliers to develop financial plans to manage through this crisis.
At this time more than ever, it is important that all producers recognize the leadership role of Ontario Pork and allow their organization to do its job. "Only by working together will we be able to pull through these critical times," says Chairman Will Nap.
Ontario Pork represents 6,000 producers in thie province in areas such as hog marketing, consumer education, research, lobbying, animal care and quality assurance. The Board grossed $687 million in 1997, based on sales of approximately four million hogs. It is estimated that total industry output from farm gate sales is worth $4.5 billion to the Ontario economy.
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