Feds invest in Ontario pork

The federal government has invested more than $2 million in a Southwestern Ontario pork processor.

Conestoga Meat Packers is owned and supplied by a co-operative of 150 Southern Ontario family hog farmers.

The federal government says the funding is to help open new markets for Ontario pork.

Adding value to products

“In this current global economy, Canada needs a strong, profitable red meat industry now more than ever,” says MP Harold Albrecht on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

“This investment will help Conestoga Meat Packers add value to its products and boost the bottom line of producers.”

The $2.3 million investment is to help Conestoga renovate its facility, allowing it to process value-added products, capture new markets and generate new revenue.

Conestoga has increased its capacity from 3,000 to 14,000 head per week in the past eight years, resulting in an increase in employment from 35 to 350 staff.

The funding will further boost the company’s productivity, job creation and the bottom line of local producers.

The $50-million Slaughter Improvement Program makes federal repayable contributions available to support sound business plans aimed at reducing costs, increasing revenues and improving operations of meat packing and processing operations in Canada.

With more than $20 billion in sales, the red meat industry is the single largest employer in the food industry in Canada.