Nova Scotia Hog farmers face crisis
NOVA SCOTIA - Nova Scotia hog farmers are asking politicians to help them through what they’re calling the worst crisis in the industry’s history.Hog farmers will begin closing their barn doors over the next 10 months unless they get another $6 million in bridge financing to help them through yet another cycle of low pork prices.
More than 100 pork producers and supporters gathered in Kentville on Monday to press their case for more government help.
"The hog industry is in a major crisis," said Martin Porskamp, a Kings County farmer and president of Pork Nova Scotia, a marketing agency.
"If nothing is done, over 60 per cent of the hog farmers in Nova Scotia will be gone over the next few months," he said as farmers prepared to rally at the legislature in Halifax today.
The hog industry indirectly employs 1,500 Nova Scotians. It has a farm-gate value of $35 million and is estimated to generate $100 million in economic spinoffs.
Source: Chronicle Herald