LABOUR SHORTAGES

There is a crisis in Canada’s meat processing industry. The meat processing sector went from 1,700 to 10,000 empty butcher stations over the past few years.

Canada’s entire food and beverage manufacturing industry with nearly 300,000 workers has been facing an escalating labour crisis, with companies reporting vacancy rates of 20% and more. Vacancy rates of this magnitude pose a serious risk to Canada’s food supply as manufacturers are forced to limit production and/or stop producing some products altogether. 

CMC is working with government to alleviate this issue.

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a disease that only impacts pigs. It is harmless to humans, but poses a significant risk to the pork industry and the Canadian economy.

Pork products are safe to eat and consumers can enjoy them with confidence. ASF does not pose any food safety concerns.

The pork industry, together with the Canadian government, has a comprehensive rapid response plan to contain and eradicate ASF if it occurs, including restrictions on transporting animals from affected areas, sanitization processes and careful surveillance.

CMC is working with other industry organizations on this important issue. For more information and links to resources visit africanswinefever.ca

E.COLI

Commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans, Escherichia coli (E. coli) has hundreds of strains of coliform bacteria. In fact, some strains of E. coli are essential because they aid in the digestion of food and produce vitamins K and B, while unfortunately, others can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and in some extreme cases, even death.

For more information on E.coli and E.coli 0157:H7, see here. 

REGULATORY

CMC provides expert guidance and assistance that protects our members’ interest and the meat industry on various initiatives such as food safety, regulatory and technical issues.

Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy

  • Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy

    Advocating for consumer choice and practical regulation that relies on current and sound science to promote healthy eating. This includes regulations such as sodium reduction, marketing to kids, and front-of-pack labelling.

  • Inspection Services

    Acting as the liaison between industry and the inspectorate on matters such as CFIA service fees, ensuring consistent inspection across Canada, system updates, and relationship management.

  • Domestic Regulatory Review

    Improving the regulatory process so it is fair, practical and considers competitiveness on policies like traceability, specified-risk material in beef and by offering technical support (i.e. interpretation of Health Canada policies & CFIA guidance documents).

  • Market Access

    Working to minimize regulatory trade barriers and align regulatory requirements between Canada and trading partner.

 

CMC works with Ministers and officials from a broad spectrum of government departments and agencies, particularly Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, and Global Affairs Canada.