Pork organizations in talks over how to shield Canadian farmers from tariff impacts

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Published: March 4, 2025

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Photo: Geralyn Wichers

Glacier FarmMedia—Pork industry groups across Canada say they’re engaged in serious discussions with the federal and provincial governments over how to protect producers as best they can from U.S. tariffs.

“The Canadian Pork Council is actively engaged in discussions with the federal government to assess the potential impacts of the U.S. tariffs on Canada’s pork industry,” said René Roy, chair of Canadian Pork Council, in an email to the Manitoba Co-operator.

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“Our priority is to safeguard the competitiveness of Canadian pork producers and maintain stability across the sector. We continue to advocate for solutions that will mitigate financial strain and protect market access for our producers.”

The 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy took effect on Tuesday.

Cam Dahl, general manager of Manitoba Pork, said they are looking at how to protect producers and others who work in the pork industry. He said he couldn’t share the details of discussions taking place with the Province of Manitoba or with Ottawa, or what potential relief efforts for producers might include.

“How do we protect those jobs, so that when we come into a recovery when the tariffs are lifted, they’re still there?” Dahl said. “I don’t know the answer to that yet.”

About the author

Miranda Leybourne

Miranda Leybourne

Reporter

Miranda Leybourne is a Glacier FarmMedia reporter based in Neepawa, Manitoba with eight years of journalism experience, specializing in agricultural reporting. Born in northern Ontario and raised in northern Manitoba, she brings a deep, personal understanding of rural life to her storytelling.

A graduate of Assiniboine College’s media production program, Miranda began her journalism career in 2007 as the agriculture reporter at 730 CKDM in Dauphin. After taking time off to raise her two children, she returned to the newsroom once they were in full-time elementary school. From June 2022 to May 2024, she covered the ag sector for the Brandon Sun before joining Glacier FarmMedia. Miranda has a strong interest in organic and regenerative agriculture and is passionate about reporting on sustainable farming practices. You can reach Miranda at [email protected].

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