The president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods says he's very confident about the Canadian pork sector's future as a sustainable, profitable industry.
But Michael McCain told the recent Banff Pork Seminar in Alberta the industry has both challenges and opportunities ahead.
He says the cost of producing pork in Canada is higher than in the U-S, because of labour, construction and utility costs and greater regulatory and transportation costs.
On the plus side, McCain says the lower dollar gives Canadian exports an advantage over the U-S.
The dis-use of ractopamine has opened new markets.
Canada's natural environment and improved animal husbandry is reducing the need for antibiotics.
And McCain argues the Canadian brand is becoming a sought after proof point on menus domestically.
The Maple Leaf Foods CEO worries about misinformation about the industry, though.
He's pushing the message that well operated, well regulated, technologically advanced, scale agriculture in livestock, particularly in pork and poultry , is our friend, not our enemy.
