The action plan of the Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec -
Producers, meat packers and government join their voices to make it the
solution for the future

LONGUEUIL, QC, April 15 /CNW Telbec/ - More united than ever, pork producers, meat packers and the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) collaborated in a press conference at the Pork Expo to send a positive message in order to make this plan the solution for the future of the pork industry.

Over the past several years, the pork industry has had to contend with a host of social, environmental and, above all, economic challenges that have left it vulnerable. But throughout the storm that has been battering the Quebec pork sector, the Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec (FPPQ) has persisted towards its goal-managing production with an ambitious action plan.

"We are putting all our efforts into reaching our goal. We took control in September 2009 and presented an innovative new action plan. Despite the current atmosphere, we remain determined to generate as much revenue as possible from the market using this strategy," comments Jean-Guy Vincent, president of the FPPQ.

In order for the pork industry to obtain results, it will be necessary to work with the demands and realities of all the parties involved. Faced with the imperative of restarting the Quebec pork network, stakeholders need to move forward with a renewed business partnership. The new Marketing Agreement was a crucial first step towards dialogue, helping to get the ball rolling on this major project. This is a plan that brings stakeholders together, and as a result it has convinced the government and the meat packers that it is key to the industry's survival.

"The Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec has an ambitious action plan. It proposes thrusts and actions that add to the efforts and initiatives processors like Olymel have already begun over the years, to maintain and develop our markets, add value at every point in the production chain and ensure we have what it takes to succeed in this intensely competitive industry. The FPPQ's plan also dovetails with the new marketing agreement, which Olymel was one of the first partners to sign and which, as we had long been hoping, establishes a more direct relationship with producers. Producers, processors and government administration can each make a positive contribution in their own way to this plan. It is one tool among many that needs to evolve to meet the expectations of each partner and achieve the goal of making the pork industry an economic, social and environmental model," added Olymel's chief executive officer, Mr. Réjean Nadeau.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food sees the industry's integrated approach, its pursuit of profitability through innovation and forward-looking resource management, and the attempt to improve how our rural areas are shared and used by different stakeholders, as all fitting closely with the government's vision and with the needs of today's Quebec.

Many steps need to be planned over the next several months for the action plan to be carried out. Some steps have already been completed, especially in the marketing component, but there is still work to be done.

ABOUT THE FPPQ

The Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec represents the interests of 3,900 producers in 12 regional unions. These producers raise more than 7.5 million hogs per year and generate an economic impact of more than 1.5 billion dollars enjoyed by every region within the province. Pork production in Quebec employs 24,000 people. 60% of the hog production is exported to more than 75 countries. www.leporcduquebec.com.

For further information: Stéphanie Fortin, Public Affairs Advisor, Fédération des producteurs de porcs du Québec, [phone] ext. 8542, [email protected]; Richard Vigneault, Communications, Olymel, [phone], [phone]; Nathalie Foster, Public Affairs, MAPAQ, [phone]