November 2020
WELCOME TO MEAT BUSINESS PRO!
Agri-Food Sustainability Targets New Program Empowers Female Egg Farmers to Lead Canadian Pork Producers Welcome Establishment of PRA Canada’s Largest Foodservice Trade Show Goes “Online Live” U.S. Pork Export Outlook: How to Save Our Own Bacon as China Rebuilds Riding Out the “Second Wave”
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Welcome to Meat Business Pro!
Agri-Food Sustainability Targets Government Extends Support Program for Farmers and Processors
New Program Empowers Female Egg Farmers to Lead Canadian Pork Producers Welcome Establishment of PRA
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Food Banks Canada Improving Food Security for Rural and Northern Communities Canada’s Largest Foodservice Trade Show Goes “Online Live” U.S. Pork Export Outlook: How to Save Our Own Bacon as China Rebuilds
In the Face of a Pandemic, the World Turns to Trade Riding Out the “Second Wave”- Advice for Provincial and Federal Governments
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November 2020 Volume 21 Number 1
PUBLISHER Ray Blumenfeld ray@meatbusiness.ca MANAGING EDITOR Scott Taylor publishing@meatbusiness.ca DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR Cam Patterson cam@meatbusiness.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
WELCOME TO MEAT BUSINESS PRO!
David McInnes, Will Sawyer, Emilio Godoy, Cam Patterson, Scott Taylor, Virginia Labbie CREATIVE DIRECTOR Patrick Cairns Meat Business Pro is published six times a year by We Communications West Inc.
Following on the success of our long standing Canadian Meat Business platform, we are proud to announce that we are widening our audience and our reach in Canada and the United States and as of November 2020 we are rebranding as Meat Business Pro - www.meatbusinesspro. com We will continue to publish our annual Buyer’s Guide, our monthly e-magazine along with our weekly e-newsletter The Meat Locker as well as our custom email blasts.
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We Communications West Inc. 106-530 Kenaston Boulevard Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3N 1Z4 Phone: 204.985.9502 Fax: 204.582.9800 Toll Free: 1.800.344.7055 E-mail: publishing@meatbusiness.ca Website: www.meatbusinesspro.com Meat Business Pro subscriptions are available for $28.00/year or $46.00/two years and includes the annual Buyers Guide issue.
As the landscape of our industry has changed in recent times, especially considering the effects of the pandemic, we felt the need to expand our horizons and look at the issues as they impact all of the segments of these industries across North America. Being part of this overall community which feeds our fellow citizens and strives forward during challenging times, we are compelled to look at the bigger picture to see how trade issues, regulatory concerns, animal welfare, food handling, safety protocols and inspection processes impact the meat and food processing industries.
©2020 We Communications West Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part, without prior written consent from the publisher. Printed in Canada. ISSN 1715-6726
Our world is changing, this industry is changing, access to technology is changing, the way in which we distribute information is changing and now so have we as we continue to support and promote the meat and food processing industries. We’d love to talk to you if you are interested in reaching our audience to enhance your advertising and marketing programs. Thank you for your continued support! Ray Blumenfeld Publisher Phone: 204-985-9516 Email: ray@meatbusiness.ca 100TH ISSUE | March/April 2019 November 2020 MEATBUSINESSPRO 554
AGRI-FOOD SUSTAINABILITY TARGETS New report signals importance of environmental targets By David McInnes as Canada aims for agri-food leadership Benchmarking environmental footprints of food production and supply is gaining traction across the global agri-food sector and presents Canada with the opportunity to better demonstrate its leadership in sustainable agri-food production, says a new report that examines agri-food industry practices, sector initiatives, food companies and government activities from Canada and abroad. “The opportunity to be the global leader in safe and sustainable food is one that Canada should eagerly embrace. We’re uniquely equipped to do so, not only because of our abundant natural resources, but also because of our human resources, reflected in both education and research. This project, which aims to set a national framework for sustainability targets in food, is an important step along the way to the grand vision of Canada’s agri-food leadership,” says Evan Fraser, PhD, Director, Arrell Food Institute & Canada Research Chair, Dept. of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics, University of Guelph The report, Agri-Food Sustainability Targets, contributes to a dialogue being undertaken by a diverse group of partners in this country to frame-up a new National Index on Agri-Food Performance, aimed at developing a set of indicators of performance and progress that could catalyze the country’s ambitious agri-food industry growth agenda, respond to changing food expectations and scrutiny and compete on a world stage in years to come. “Canada’s ace up its sleeve on agri-food sustainability targets is the millions of acres of native grassland, tame pasture and hay lands, forests, hedgerows, wetlands, lakes and streams that occur on our farmlands, which provide habitat for many thousands of wildlife species, from tiny pollinators to birds and large mammals. The stewardship of these lands by producers – and 6
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demonstrating this – should be part of our story,” says Carolyn Callaghan, Senior Conservation Biologist for Terrestrial Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife Federation. The report found that many food companies and their supply chains, and some producer organizations, are setting specific targets to responsibly source or supply ingredients, reduce GHG emissions and minimize waste, among other goals. It noted that producers are taking greater interest in appropriate outcomesbased measures, building on an impressive record of on-farm continuous improvement that has significantly enhanced ecosystem benefits and improved economic sustainability.
“Canada is a global leader in agri-food. We produce and process some of the most safe, nutritious and reliable food in the world. Outcomes-based measures and benchmarking will further substantiate our brand claims around the world. The use of data in developing these benchmarks is an essential component and this work underscores the exponential value of agri-food data”, says Ray Bouchard, Board Chair, Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI) Manitoba. As well, countries are declaring targets to respond to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Accord for greenhouse gas emissions (and more targets are expected with new global biodiversity goals later in 2020). Canada’s competitors, such as the U.S. and
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the EU, and farm and food organizations abroad are declaring bold targets to improve their environmental performance.
anywhere. But the bar is rising here and abroad to back up these credentials and mark progress. A consolidated set of metrics is not readily available to show that Canada is among the most environmentally sustainable, safest and reliable global food leaders.
For more information, contact David McInnes, Coordinator, National Index on Agri-Food Performance at daviddmcinnes@gmail.com
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
“This report is a key reminder of the continued importance of environmental considerations within Canada’s larger growth agenda for the agri-sector,” explains Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada CEO Michael Graydon. “Canadian food production remains strong from an environmental perspective but this report confirms that successes must be measured and shown effective for us to effectively compete on a world stage. Combining these environmental efforts with steps to develop and diversify markets, investing in innovation and developing a modern regulatory and infrastructure network are critical to Canada fully achieving its stated economic goals.”
Over the course of 2020, a coalition of partners is advancing a dialogue on a National Index on Agri-Food Performance, a validated benchmark of environmental and other indicators that would be used by the agri-food sector and stakeholders to enable sector competitiveness, demonstrate societal benefits and improve policy. Partners include: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Arrell Food Institute (U. of Guelph), Bayer Crop Science, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Produce Marketing Association, Canadian Wildlife Federation, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Fertilizer Canada, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, Global Institute for Food Security, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods Inc., National Research Council, Nutrien, Protein Industries Canada, Pulse Canada, Standards Council of Canada, Statistics Canada, Syngenta, TrustBIX Inc.
Says David McInnes, who authored this report on behalf of a consortium of partners: “Expressing credible performance targets is clearly becoming a key tool here and worldwide to add economic value, compete and improve the environment”. This paper did not assess the impact of COVID-19 on the food system but at a time when the resilience and environmental sustainability of the food supply is of increasing concern, the report declares that Canada ought to be a global leader in demonstrating its leadership on these matters. Thanks to innovationadoption and global leading practices and confidence in the regulatory process, Canada’s food production system has one of the lowest environmental footprints meatbusinesspro.com
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GOVERNMENT EXTENDS SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR FARMERS AND PROCESSORS Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced that the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program will be extended until November 30, 2020.
The decision follows the Government of Canada’s announcement to extend the Quarantine Act to the same date. The Act requires temporary foreign workers to undergo a mandatory 14-day isolation period upon arriving in Canada.
The $50-million Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program is helping employers in the farming, fish harvesting, and food production and processing sectors with some of the incremental costs incurred to keep these workers safe and healthy during that 14-day period.
The Minister stated, “Producers and processors across the country rely on experienced migrant workers to ensure a stable, nutritious and affordable food supply for Canadians. This pandemic has put additional strains on growers and processors, and our Government will continue to support them in these challenging times.”
Under the Program, the federal government will provide a maximum support of $1,500 for each temporary foreign worker, to employers who are required to isolate workers under the Quarantine Act. The funding is conditional on employers not being found in violation of the mandatory 14-day isolation protocols or any other public health order. 8 8
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QUICK FACTS • Additional measures to support the safety of farmers and processors include: • $77.5 million through the Emergency Processing Fund. • $58 million to strengthen the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and make further investments to safeguard the health and safety of Canadian and temporary foreign workers through the $35 million Emergency On-Farm Support Fund. • Eligible costs under the Mandatory Isolation Support for Temporary Foreign Workers Program could include wages, food, benefits, transportation, housing, and other requirements to comply with the protocols under the Quarantine Act. In some cases, an employer’s costs may exceed the $1,500 federal contribution per temporary foreign worker.
accounts for more than 60% of all foreign workers entering Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. • Most foreign workers who work on farms are located in Ontario (40%), Quebec (32%), B.C. (18%) and Nova Scotia (2.6%) • As part of its actions to protect the health and safety of foreign workers, the Government of Canada has been working with provinces and territories, as well as a range of partners and stakeholders, to ensure employers and temporary foreign workers are aware of their obligations and respect the rules in place to help prevent the importation and spread of COVID 19 in Canada.
• Temporary foreign workers play a vital role in the Canadian economy with approximately 50,000 to 60,000 foreign agricultural, food and fish processing workers coming to work in Canada each year, which
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NEW PROGRAM EMPOWERS FEMALE EGG FARMERS TO LEAD Sandra Dyck wasn’t born a farmer. Her career began in healthcare, in fact—but everything changed when she married fourth generation egg farmer Eric Dyck and got involved in the family farm. Sandra has been working full-time on the Dycks’ 4D Farms in Springstein, Manitoba since 2013. And she loves it. “It’s been amazing—I love agriculture,” says Sandra. Across Canada’s agriculture sector, over 77,000 women are farm operators—a higher proportion than existed just 20 years ago. Today, nearly one-third of Canadian farm operators are women. “The most welcoming community to me, as a female farmer, has been other farmers,” Sandra says. In that spirit, Egg Farmers of Canada created its new women in the egg industry program. Now in its second year, the program participants—including Sandra—are nominated by egg boards from across Canada.
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Throughout the program, delegates engage in continuing education opportunities, take part in networking and industry events to build connections and share experiences, and support each other through a unique mutual mentorship program. In 2019, Sandra was paired with mentor Kelly Clarke, who has been farming in Nova Scotia for two decades. Sandra sings the program’s praises. “I’ve asked Kelly questions about everything, from human resources to specific barn questions,” she says. “We set goals for our relationship for our year. It’s a great relationship— the chance to learn from someone living a parallel life to you. Networking with these women gives me confidence to take on more roles, to consider getting involved at a higher level.” The aim of the program is to inspire and help prepare the next generation of leaders in Canadian agriculture, while enhancing connections across our sector—and acknowledging the particular challenges women juggle as farmers
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NSF INTERNATIONAL FOCUSES ON CANADIAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH NEW WEBSITE FOR SERVICES IN CANADA Global public health organization showcases services for Canada’s growing and fast-changing food industry NSF International in Canada recently launched a new website - www.nsfcanada.ca - to give Canada’s growing and complex food and beverage industry easy access to the global public health organization’s expertise and “I’mservices a wife, in mother and a website farmer,”combines says Sandra. “And Canada. The information on the depth, experience and capabilities of the NSF farming is a lifestyle. You’re always on. The day doesn’t Canadian access NSFso I endInternational when you go home. office I havewith young kids,toand International’s global services dedicated to food safety have to be a provider and manage our family routines.” and quality.
Sandra’s challenges reflect those of other women in the Evolving across countries and increasing industry. Eggregulations Farmers of Canada co-sponsored a study complexities associated with a globalized food supply looking at women in the egg industry conducted by network present challenges for NSF International clients in Dr. Jodey Nurse, an assistant professor at McMaster Canada and around the world. The new Canadian website University’s Wilsonand Institute for History. The offers expertise services toCanadian help companies navigate study explored the past and present roles ofauditing, women these challenges, including certification and consulting, technical services, education, in the egg farming industry, andtraining soughtand to understand food and label compliance, packaging, and product the underrepresentation of female egg farmers in and process development. leadership positions.
accredited International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) site. Topics include HACCP, food safety and quality, GFSI benchmarked standards, regulations (including FSMA), food science, food packaging, Our sector relies onand theISO determination and hard work food microbiology standards. Training modalities include eLearning, on-site, customized and open enrolment. of our farmers, and we are proud to support the next
generation ofthe leaders through our women in the egg Additionally, website includes information about industry program andregistrations our longstanding young farmer management system for the food, automotive, environmental, information security, medical devices, program. aerospace and chemical industries, as well as for Ontario drinking water programs.
For more information, visit www.eggfarmers.ca
Visit the new Canadian website at www.nsfcanada.ca to review the food safety services capabilities video, find a list of Canadian food experts, learn about upcoming events and global news releases, a question YesGroup_CanadianMeatBusiness-Qtr-pg.pdf 1 submit 2014-05-16 1:20:17 PMor read an FAQ.
NSF International’s Canadian website provides information on the following services: Certification & auditing: Third-party food safety audits and certifications, which are integral components of supplier selection and regulatory compliance. Accurate audits are the first step toward successful verification of a company’s food safety system, providing improved brand protection and customer confidence. Certifications and audits are available for animal and produce in the agriculture industry, GFSI certification and management system registration. Consulting: A full-service team approach providing technical resources, expertise and insight for a wide range of food safety and quality services. NSF International provides finished product inspection testing for food, and helped non-foodidentify testing for rapid analysis Thepackaging study results a number of and insight to protect the brand, technical support services opportunities, which inspired many aspects of the from on-site temporary or permanent technical staffing program. Theseand include building knowledge placements, various types ofindustry consulting.
and confidence in public speaking, increasing access Technical services: A one-stop solution for food product to peer mentorship, creating larger industry networks compliance and formulation, from concept to finished andproduct, facilitating remote learning opportunities. The including food and label compliance, packaging, delegates taking part in the women in the egg industry product and process development, and shelf-life and program areevaluation. putting these learnings into practice, while product alsoTraining providing for andsuggestions education: enhance Training forthe theprogram global food future andcohorts. beverage industry across the supply chain as an meatbusinesspro.com meatbusiness.ca
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CANADIAN PORK PRODUCERS WELCOME ESTABLISHMENT OF PRA Pork producers across Canada welcome the recent announcement of the establishment of the Canadian Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PRA) by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada MarieClaude Bibeau.
The discussion to establish the agency was initiated by former Canadian Pork Council Chair, Jurgen Preugchas, with a small group of producers. The effort was picked up and actioned by his successor Jean-Guy Vincent and carried to this point by current Chair, Rick Bergmann. “The PRA will be an important vehicle for producers – it will help facilitate even greater collaboration across the value chain through increased research and promotion activities. In the long run, it will result in improving the long-term growth and competitiveness of the sector, said Rick Bergmann, Canadian Pork Council Chair. “I would like to thank Minister Bibeau for championing this initiative and moving forward with the establishment of the agency.”
“Producers and provincial organizations from across the country that have been engaged in the creation of the agency are pleased that the vision is finally being realized today”, stated CPC’s Vice Chair Rene Roy. Individually, through their various provincial groups, Canadian pork producers already fund an extensive series of market promotion, extension services and research activities. Investments in these activities have been critical in enhancing the competitive position of the sector and in raising consumer awareness of the advantages of the nutrient value of pork. The pork industry believes that the producer-funded PRA, which also receives funds through the collection of a levy on the imports of live pigs and pork meat, is one mechanism that can further strengthen the industry. It is estimated that the fully functioning agency will provide an additional $2 million for research and promotion. The Canadian Pork Council is the national voice for hog producers in Canada. A federation of nine provincial pork industry associations representing 7,000 farms, the organization plays a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.
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FOOD BANKS CANADA IMPROVING FOOD SECURITY FOR RURAL AND NORTHERN COMMUNITIES The Canadian Government has announced that along with Food Banks Canada, it has launched the $2.3 million Rural and Northern Capacity Fund. Ag Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement alongside Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, and Kirsten Beardsley of Food Banks Canada. This initiative is being funded under the first round of the $200 million Emergency Food Security Fund, and will help address food insecurity in communities or regions that are currently underserved. “Our Government has been working hard to ensure Canadians across the country, and especially those in rural and northern communities, have access to safe, nutritious food. By working with our partners, we are better able to get help to those who need it most,” stated Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Organizations in rural and northern areas can receive help under the initiative to develop or improve infrastructure that helps get food to vulnerable people. This includes supporting the purchase, transportation and distribution of food, hiring additional staff and undertaking small-scale construction projects. Food Banks Canada is now accepting applications for funding from community or charitable organizations, Indigenous groups and not-for-profit co-operatives. The funding will target the gaps in food security services in rural and northern communities in relation to the previous funding allocated under the Emergency Food Security Fund. Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, said “Ensuring the health and safety of people in our rural and northern communities is a priority for our Government, especially through the 14 14
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COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be instrumental in helping people in these communities access food, so they can better deal with the other unique challenges posed by the pandemic.” COVID-19 has presented significant challenges to communities across Canada, and particularly for Canadians facing food insecurity. It has highlighted the importance of local food organizations, the need to continue to support them, and the crucial services Canadians rely upon to be safe and healthy. The initial Emergency Food Security Fund was launched in April and provided $100 million to help improve access to food for people experiencing food insecurity in Canada because of COVID-19. To date, the funding has offered support to more than 1,800 individual projects in communities across Canada, which is estimated to have helped serve over two million Canadians with six million meals.
“With this government investment, food banks in rural and northern communities will be able to purchase food, freezers and much needed equipment to make sure they can support their communities through the difficult winter months ahead”, stated Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Network Services Officer, Food Banks Canada. “As food banks across the country continue to innovate and adapt to current public health guidelines, this investment will be critical in making sure smaller and remote communities are supported as the need for their services goes up.”
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DF: I don’t think being on the island has really impacted us negatively one way or the other. We’ve traveled a lot, met a lot of other farmers and livestock producers in other parts of Canada, and we all seem to have the same issues and same concerns.
QUICK FACTS
that your farm • The firstCMB: $100I understand million under the was the first in Atlantic Canada to be Emergency Food Security Fund was divided involved in the TESA program. as follows:
DF: Yes, I think we were the first farm east of Ontario as far as I understand. • $50 million to Food Banks Canada; I’m not sure why the eastern associations wouldn’t have previously • $49.2 million divided between nominated anybody because there are Community Food Centres many farms here onCanada, PEI doingSecond every bit as muchArmy, as weand are as to attain aClub Harvest, Salvation Breakfast high level of sustainability. Anyway, of Canada; and we were very surprised when the PEI Cattleman’s Association nominated our • $800,000 for La Tablée des Chefs to help farm.
prepare and distribute meals mainly across And thenpopulations you were attending the Quebec toCMB: vulnerable through Canadian Beef conference in Calgary food banks. and you won.
DF: Yeah! was a very nice moment • On October 9th, That the Government for us. But I don’t like to use the announced an additional $100 million to word win actually. However, being the Emergency Food Security Fund, aimed recognized for our commitment was at helpingacommunities andwant organizations real honour. If you to know as they continue to respond tohumbling the needs of the truth, it was a pretty Canadiansexperience. facing food As insecurity. I said to CBC when they phoned me after the conference, I was just floored, of really couldn’t believe it. The Government Canada also
• launched CMB: the Local Food So now thatInfrastructure you have been recognized, you think that will Fund, a $50 million, do five-year program draw more attention and garner more under the Food Policy for Canada, aimed nominations out of Atlantic Canada at community-based, not-for-profit going forward? organizations. This funding supported DF: Absolutely. We’ve gotten a lot projects such as the purchase of new of good press highlighting the island refrigerated trucks, kitchen equipment, cattle industry. I’m positive you’ll seeto community gardens, equipment needed more farms in our neck of the woods prepare, store and distribute food, and the nominated next year. And I have to give installation of solar panels and irrigation the Canadian Cattleman’s Association systems, among others. recognition for choosing a farm from Prince Edward Island. We are small
• In addition, Government playersthe in the national beeflaunched industry and I think it wasFood a realRescue credit to their the $50 million Surplus us. Theyfood Program, organization which aimstotorecognize move surplus treated all the nominees royally and commodities through the food system asit was a real class act. It was a wonderful efficiently as possible to help vulnerable experience. Canadians. Another $25 million has also been allocated to Nutrition North Canada to ensure food security for Canada’s most vulnerable in northern areas. meatbusiness.ca meatbusinesspro.com
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CANADA’S LARGEST FOODSERVICE TRADE SHOW GOES “ONLINE LIVE” #RCShow21 launches state-of-the-art technology platform and international buyers program designed to rebuild, reinvent and reconnect the hospitality industry; save the date February 28 – March 3 After months of listening, learning and supporting the Foodservice industry through the COVID-19 pandemic, Restaurants Canada is officially launching the RC Show 2021 ONLINE LIVE. This year’s show aims to reunite the industry and prepare businesses for what lies ahead, while introducing a new three-year international buyers program that will bring influential speakers and buyers from around the world to do business and help the industry recover. From February 28 – March 3, the 2021 RC Show will expand to four action-packed days to allow for more solution-based content, aligned with smaller experiential RC Hospitality Week events – all designed to support one of the hardest hit sectors of the Canadian economy. Restaurants Canada invites chefs, baristas, bartenders, sommeliers, foodservice operators, distributors, brokers, retailers and buyers to join live and participate in the foodservice and hospitality event of the year. “2020 has been a devastating year for the foodservice industry and we have to adapt and adjust at a faster rate than ever before,” says Todd Barclay President & CEO, Restaurants Canada. “This is the time for our industry to rebuild, reinvent and reconnect. The RC Show will bring together some of the top speakers, biggest brands, innovators and cutting-edge products under the banner of RC’s ‘Feeding the Recovery’ campaign supporting our industry, people and planet.”
Canadian-made technology. NexTech Inferno AR will allow the 2021 RC Show to host a large international audience and offer all attendees the opportunity to customize their experience and make the four-day event their own. Attendees will have access to an interactive trade show floor with augmented reality and hologram demonstrations, chat enabled exhibitor booths and broadcast-quality content sessions. Virtual networking spaces and engagement tools will allow buyers and sellers to connect, driving value aligned with unique growth goals. “We are excited to be chosen as the virtual host for the upcoming RC Show 2021,” says Paul Duffy, President of NexTech AR Solutions. “We fully understand how significant the RC Show is to the industry at large and believe our platform is uniquely positioned to provide attendees and exhibitors with ways to connect over shared experiences with food, even in a digital setting. We look forward to paving the road for the future by providing a platform experience that will provide rich analytics, AR-powered cooking demos and online distributor booths. We hope to help Restaurants Canada bridge the physical and digital gap replicating human connection that other virtual events miss.”
To ensure the show does not miss a beat, while also looking to capture a larger audience, all activities and content will be supported by a revolutionary and 16 16
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HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT: • A dynamic platform that includes augmented reality, B2B marketplace broadcast-quality conference platform and hologram technology
NEW SURREY SLAUGHTERHOUSE ‘WOULD OPEN DOOR’ TO NEW BEEF MARKETS
• World class content including high profile competition panels, education sessions, workshops with top innovators, experts and influencers made available to an international audience • Customized, engaging and interactive booths with live chat, on-on-one meeting and networking rooms
• Government funded international buyers program to Proposed 30,000-square-foot beef abattoir in Cloverdale would be B.C.’s largest such facility help attract global experts and buyers supported by a Follow the conversation on social media at #RCShow By Amy Reid, PeaceAssociations, Arch News contribution from CanExport program of #FeedingtheRecovery @RestaurantsCanada Global Affairs Canada so as to not emit odours. And while there is an operational A federally licensed beef processing facility is in the works ABOUT RESTAURANTS CANADA 6,000-square-foot abattoir on the property now, it’s can in Surrey, BC. “There’s new building coming forward, new abattoir, I • Buyer Kits that will abring brands to life andaprovide think that’s the French pronunciation of slaughterhouse,” interactive learning and tasting experiences said Councillor Mike Starchuk. “So Surrey will have a newer facility with a better capacity so people will have • ability to not have to ship an animal to Alberta to have Signature Livethe and Virtual Events in Toronto and across it processed. The applications have gone through the Canada that will provide networking andAdvisory leadingCommittee.” Agricultural and Food Sustainability hospitality experiences by top our industry The facility isled proposed on atalent 25-acrein property within the Agricultural Land Reserve at 5175 184th St. The planned 30,000-square foot abattoir in Cloverdale would process up invited to shop, taste, learn, connect and to 100 head of cattle per day.
Attendees are grow their business. According to a city report, that would make it larger than any other processing facility in B.C.. But it would still be
small by industry standards,at compared to the largest Industry professionals can register rcshow.com for meat processing plants in Alberta that process 3,000 heads of special pricing cattle and per incentives available November 30th day. until January 31st. The proposed facility would be fully enclosed and designed
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only process a limited number of cattle. Chris Les is general manager of Meadow Valley Meats,
Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit the company behind the project. Meadow Valley Meats is seeking a Canadian Food Inspection Agency license for association advancing the potential of Canada’s diverse the proposed abattoir, to become a federally registered and dynamic foodservice industry through member meat establishment and expand the operation. This would programs, research, and events. allow the meat products to advocacy, be transportedresources beyond B.C.’s boundaries. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s “Our focus is onsector trying towas bring a a more foodservice $93 efficient, billion sustainable industry, directly local product to the market, realizing we can do that now employing 1.2 million people, providing Canada’s in a very limited sense,” said Les. “I caution people when number oneand source of ‘What first ajobs andthat’s serving talking to them they say, big plant, going 22 million to go allow you to go mainstream.’ Well,every yes, if you lookThe industry customers across the country day. in the context of B.C., but this is still a very niche plant has losta niche hundreds of the jobs and could and since we’ll serve industry of for thousands producers and for market. certainly goingbillion to be a monstrosity a plant due to the lose as It’s much as not $44.8 in sales inof 2020 but it’ll be a big upgrade from the site currently.” impacts of COVID-19. www.restaurantscanada.org Continued on page 32
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U.S. PORK EXPORT OUTLOOK: HOW TO SAVE OUR OWN BACON AS CHINA REBUILDS By Will Sawyer While China rebuilds its pork production capacity, the U.S. pork sector can take steps to lessen the impact of lower trade flows in the future U.S. pork exports to China have skyrocketed this year as African Swine Fever (ASF) eroded two-thirds of China’s hog herd and drove its hog prices to record highs. Greater China now accounts for nearly 8% of U.S. pork production, compared to around just 2% in 2018. However, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, China is making progress rebuilding its hog herd, jeopardizing the U.S. export picture over the next 3 to 5 years. “China’s pork market is showing the early signs of herd rebuilding and hog prices have fallen 30% from their peak a year ago,” said Will Sawyer, lead economist, animal protein, CoBank. “This increases the risk of an oversupply of U.S. pork if exports to other markets, primarily in Asia and Latin America, are unable to absorb this supply.” The loss of exports to China would likely lead to difficult conditions for U.S. hog producers and processors alike. The U.S. pork industry has built multiple new plants over the past four years, increasing packing capacity by 12%, with much of this new capacity eyed for international markets. Following the discovery of ASF in Germany in September, many key pork importing countries have banned German pork, opening the window for increased shipments from the U.S. and other key pork exporters. This provides the U.S. a short-term opportunity to increase market share in China, as Germany represents approximately 14% of China’s pork imports. Although the ban is unlikely to last forever, and with China’s hog prices showing signs of weakening, the U.S. may still feel the pressure of reduced Chinese pork imports.
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While lower trade flows with China to pre-ASF levels would bring a good deal of stress to the U.S. pork sector, there are strategies and changes the pork industry can make now to help dampen that impact. Shifting trade relationships from transactional to strategic, pursuing trade diversification and building the U.S. market are among those strategies. The greatest opportunity and possible challenge for the U.S. pork sector is the U.S. market itself. With few exceptions over the last 30 years, annual per capita pork consumption in the U.S. has been range bound between 48 and 52 pounds. Spurring new or increased demand from other markets is another industry imperative. These growth opportunities may come from U.S. pork’s core trade partners, but by also expanding trade opportunities with secondary customers. Markets like Japan, Korea and Mexico are critical in the next few years. The U.S. pork sector also has great export opportunities in numerous smaller markets, especially in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. U.S. packers have opportunities to strengthen their relationships with importers and customers of their end products. With all major pork-producing countries eyeing the Chinese market, suppliers with strategic relationships in China will fare much better during the down cycle. “One of the many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is the necessity of a strong relationship between producer and packer,” added Sawyer. “This is true in both beef and pork, as those producers who had a deep and strategic relationship with their packer fared far better during the plant shutdowns and slowdowns in April and May 2020.”
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IN THE FACE OF A PANDEMIC, THE WORLD TURNS TO TRADE World Leaders Meet to Discuss the Role of Agriculture In Canada’s Economy at Toronto Global Forum By Emilio Godoy, Inter Press News Agency Greatly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, international trade can play a key role in the economic recovery, but it must overcome obstacles, such as protectionism and commercial disputes, especially between the United States and China. This became clear during the virtual debates at the Toronto Global Forum “Forging a Resilient Economy,” organized by the non-governmental International Economic Forum of the Americas, which ran from October 26-29, 2020. During the last plenary session of the Forum, dedicated to analyzing the condition of international trade in times of global uncertainty, the Argentinean José Luis Manzano, Integra Capital private investment fund’s founder and president, stressed that the negative global context persists in the last quarter of a year marked by the pandemic. He pointed out that there has been an incipient economic recovery, which comes from the reactivation that occurred in the middle of the year in the United States and Europe, now threatened by the increase in covid-19 infections, which in the case of Europe has already produced a withdrawal of activities. “At this moment we are halfway through the pandemic, which means we still have another year of retreat. This will impact trade, economic growth, investment. The pandemic found regions and companies in different situations,” said Manzano. Focusing on Canada’s position in the world, the Forum, which brought together Canadian officials and business and civil society organization representatives from several countries, also addressed issues such as 20 20
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financial services, future of work, the role of women in the economy, the digital ecosystem, innovation and investment. Participants also discussed resilient infrastructure, education, health, cyber security, sustainability, agriculture and food. The appearance of the coronavirus in December in China and its rapid global expansion in the weeks that followed led to domestic confinement and the curbing of non-essential economic activities, especially in sectors such as transportation, retail and tourism, which in turn led to a decrease in energy consumption.
Governments have responded to this with different packages of measures to deal with the aftermath of the crisis, such as reduced income due to the fall in international oil prices, in the case of exporting countries, which is contrasted with a reduction in the energy bill for oil importers. Rachel Bendayan, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, and Mairead Lavery, President and CEO of Canada’s export promotion agency (EDC), agreed that trade is key to the economic recovery.
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“The pandemic should not be an excuse for protectionism, for placing barriers to free trade, or for leading countries to become more protectionist. We need a stable and predictable system,” Bendayan said during his participation in the Forum. For his part, Lavery said that international trade has positive effects on investment, employment and prosperity.
THE BEST DEFE A STRONG OFFE
During the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), Costa Rica’s president, Carlos Alvarado, presented in September the proposal to create the “Fund to Relieve the Economy covid-19”, an international solidarity effort in the face of the BENEFITS PROMOTING THE HEALTH economic recession caused by the pandemic and an By Ronnie P. Cons instrument to promote a sustainable recovery.
Red meat is often wrongly portrayed as being unhealthy. some in the media as unhealthy or not environmentally fr
“We need to ensure that all Canadians have access to the benefits of trade. We need to rebuild trust. The response in different countries is different and we have to analyze how they affect consumption, customers, the supply chain,” she said. In his opinion, “the recovery will depend on the health situation in the world, it’s the predominant factor, and depending on the economic sector and the country concerned” and that opens an opportunity to adapt to electronic commerce and digitization of international processes. Canada, the United States and Mexico make up one of the largest trading blocks in the world, the Mexico, the United States and Canada Agreement, which came into force last July and replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has been in force since 1994. But the trade disputes led by Donald Trump’s administration cast a shadow over the initial steps of the agreement.
Vegan, fish and other non-meat diets have been proposed as healthier alternatives. The result of this onslaught of negative meat messages has influenced many families to cut back on their meat and poultry purchases. Perceptions may reality but truth trumps misinformation. Parents and other consumers want what is best for their health and that of their families. They are also aware that a lot of false information is out there and as such, are open to scientific facts that can correct their misconceptions. This provides an opportunity for retail meat departments to implement an instore ‘Healthy Meat Facts’ nutritional campaign to set the record straight and convince their customers meat and poultry arean actually good for one’s In addition,that Mexico is promoting UN Extraordinary health and that they in should than decrease General Assembly 2021increase to agreerather on the necessary their purchases of it. The campaign outlined below can have actions for economic recovery and to reduce the social a direct impact on sales:
impact of the current crisis, in the post-pandemic Start by displaying instore posters promoting the nutritional phase.
value of meat. They should be innovative, eye catching and be designed to specifically contradict any meat myths. The In a sessionshould on global theresearch future of comments all bemanufacturing literature based and quoting globalization, Riley, executive directorshould for the papers or MDsChristiana for maximum effect. Various posters be made -at each a briefDeutsche but powerful message covering Americas thewith German Bank and member one of itstheme. Board of Directors, indicated that the differences
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Manzano stated that international cooperation is the only tool to face the situation, threatened by nationalism, import substitution, protectionism and populist policies of several countries.
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“There are two things that intersect with international trade and investment: the pandemic and frictions between the United States and China,” he said.
equalprivate (the ironsector content) in finance a steak,”much says Christopher “The can of what is Golden, an ecologist and epidemiologist at Harvard University in needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals Cambridge, Massachusetts. (As quoted by nature.com in the (SDGs). Governments and financial institutions can article ‘Brain food- clever eating’.) be intermediaries between sources of capital and For a woman to receive her recommended daily intake of 18 sustainable projects,” she said. mg of iron, she would need just 300 grams of cooked bovine
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For this reason, he said, “we need to be prepared to continue injecting money into monetary and fiscal policies, educating SMEs to work in the digital world, without forgetting the environmental impact. The recovery packages will offer opportunities for sustainability”.
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The Argentine investor insisted that there must be government support for salaries, digital training, bringing value chains closer to producing countries, and government backing for the transformation of small and medium enterprises. meatbusinesspro.com
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RIDING OUT THE “SECOND WAVE”- ADVICE FOR PROVINCIAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS By Virginia Labbie As we head into the winter months, we see a worrying trend of rising COVID-19 cases. As cities, provinces and the federal government move toward new business closures in many parts of the country, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) urges them to provide immediate and full financial support to affected businesses. For example, Manitoba’s “code red” lockdown recently implemented is nearly as comprehensive as the March shutdown, but we know small businesses are far more fragile today. Earlier estimates from the CFIB suggest 160,000 businesses across Canada may permanently close due to COVID-19, with the potential for the number to rise to 225,000. I am sure you have already seen the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on small businesses in your neighborhood, hometown or city. In a recent survey, CFIB’s agri-business owners were asked what worries them most about COVID-19. Sixtytwo per cent said the economic repercussions of the pandemic was their top worry. Fifty-three per cent said the uncertainty around a “second wave” worried them most and 47 per cent said reduced consumer spending. Since the beginning of the pandemic, agriculture has fared somewhat better than many sectors due to the essential nature of this business but that doesn’t mean that additional widespread shutdowns in other sectors will not have a significant impact. We saw what can happen when restaurants and those in the hospitality sector are mandated to close their doors. Supply chain disruptions and dried up demand for agricultural products created huge challenges this spring for the food supply sector.
everything possible to avoid further shutdowns and ensure strong and immediate supports are in place for any sectors that are affected by new public health restrictions. ADVICE FOR PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS: CFIB is urging the provinces to consider limiting the use of any blanket lockdowns. Any business closures should be limited to sectors and regions where there is evidence to support them rather than using blanket measures to send a message to the public that COVID-19 is serious. We also believe it is important for provincial governments to share sectoral data regularly to allow the public to make safer consumer choices and help business owners understand the reasons for such measures is needed.
While public safety is of utmost importance, CFIB is asking the federal and provincial governments to do
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However, it is important to note that there are many gaps in the current support programs. For example, there is currently no program in place to support paying rent and the new, improved Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) program is in the draft legislative stage. The generosity of the wage subsidy (CEWS) has been reduced from 75 to 65 per cent and there is no plan for an additional top-up for businesses affected by a second round of closures. If governments close or limit in-store retail as is happening in Manitoba, measures should be applied fairly. If a small business with only a few customers per day can’t sell t-shirts or TVs, crowded big box stores like Costco and Walmart shouldn’t be allowed to sell them either just because they have a grocery section.
The previously announced expansion of the CEBA loan program by $20,000 with an additional $10,000 forgivable portion is not yet in effect and hundreds of thousands of small firms have fallen through the cracks of all federal programs and have received zero support. These include new firms and micro-sized businesses.
Finally, there must be strong and immediate supplemental provincial support programs in place for any sectors that are affected by new public health restrictions. “We are all in this together” means that business owners should not be asked to cover the costs of protecting society through fresh lockdowns of the economy alone. They need full, immediate and ongoing support in any jurisdiction where new restrictions are introduced.
WHAT CAN YOU DO AS A CONSUMER?
ADVICE FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT- IMPROVED FEDERAL SUPPORT URGENTLY NEEDED
Now more than ever, it’s critical that all of us work together to support our small businesses. We must all do our part to keep any shutdown as short as possible. And as we enter the holiday shopping season, we must also all consciously support local by shopping at our small businesses, online, by phone, and buying gift cards. Challenge your friends and family to consciously think about how they can support local especially over the next several weeks. It’s in all of our best interest to support small business in our communities.
While some federal government programs are delivering needed support and further positive reforms are before the House of Commons right now, Canada’s programs are just not ready to deliver enough aid to small businesses affected by a second round of full or partial closures. Recently, the Prime Minister said no provincial leader should ease public health measures because they are feeling pressure not to shut down businesses as federal programs are in place to support those businesses impacted by any shutdown orders.
Virginia Labbie is the Senior Policy Analyst, Agri-business for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB has 110,000 small and medium-sized member businesses (7,200 agri-business members) across Canada. To find out more about how to support local business go to www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca.
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