Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1392

Maple Leaf Pork says a stronger emphasis on systems that ensure food quality and safety is enhancing Canada's ability to meet the stringent demands of the global pork export market.

Maple Leaf's pork processing plants are HACCP certified, its 'Signature Pork' contract requires producer participation in Canadian Quality Assurance and the company has introduced a 40 step 'Master Brand' food safety initiative.

Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement Michael Rowe was on hand last week for Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2003.

He says one of the industry's good news stories and one of its strengths is increasing global consumption of pork.

"We expect increased consumption of pork around the world in many different markets, be that Europe, North or South America and in China.

That's good news for producers globally and specifically in Canada as, in some of these countries, the production of hogs will actually decline so there will be a greater reliance on imports.

In order to attract customers abroad we really need to listen to them, listen to what that voice of the customer is. What is it specifically that they are looking for from us.

They want to ensure that the food is safe and they look for programs such as a strong Canadian Quality Assurance program and that that is complied with. They are also looking for certain customer demands, specifically in Japan, for the product to be meat and bone meal free.

Separately buyers in other countries have specifications that are somewhat more demanding than what we have in North America and we need to be able to meet those".

Rowe says, as Canadian producers deliver on their commitments under Canadian Quality Assurance and as Maple Leaf delivers on its commitments under HACCP and its Master Band initiative, there's a greater certainty of providing a good quality safe product.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.