Advocating for Alberta’s Pork Producers
Alberta Pork speaks up for the province’s pork producers who raise more than 2.6 million pigs each year and support over 13,000 Albertans in jobs that contribute $1.6 billion annually to Alberta’s economy. Our role is to make sure their voices are heard at every level of government and that policy decisions reflect the realities of modern pork production.
Through meetings, letters, and direct engagement with Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Municipal Governments, Alberta Pork advocates for practical, evidence-based policies that protect producers’ livelihoods, promote market access, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of our industry and the communities we live in.
Our Advocacy Priorities
We’ve outlined five key priorities for government leaders—each focused on keeping Alberta’s pork sector strong, competitive, and resilient:
1. Trade and Market Access
International trade is vital to Alberta’s pork industry, with over 60% of production exported around the world. We urge governments to prioritize pork in trade negotiations—during the CUSMA review—as well as when negotiating barriers with Asian and European trading partners.
2. Business Risk Management
Producers need reliable tools to manage economic uncertainty. Alberta Pork is calling for improvements to programs like the Livestock Price Insurance Program (LPIP) and AgriStability, as well as better access to livestock barn insurance and affordable capital to help producers weather market and environmental challenges.
3. Animal Disease Preparedness
Protecting herd health protects our entire industry. We continue to collaborate on disease prevention and emergency response planning, including wild boar surveillance and eradication, and the ongoing fight against threats such as African Swine Fever (ASF). Alberta Pork’s leadership in swine traceability and quality assurance is central to this work.
4. Workforce and Labour
Labour shortages are one of the biggest barriers to growth in agriculture. We advocate for practical immigration policies, streamlined administrative processes, and the creation of a permanent agricultural worker program. We also support permanent residency options for experienced foreign workers and greater recognition of agriculture’s skilled labour needs.
5. Infrastructure and Logistics
A secure, efficient supply chain keeps our industry moving. We are pushing for investments in resilient infrastructure, improved transportation networks, and recognition of meat processing as an essential service during market disruptions.
Working Toward Policy Change
Advocacy is about more than raising concerns—it’s about driving solutions. Alberta Pork works with industry partners, researchers, and government officials to develop strategies that strengthen rural communities, protect the environment, and ensure the continued success of Alberta’s pork sector.
