Cover Story: QUEBEC PORK PRODUCERS

Burdened with debt and an unsustainable safety net Quebec farmers have the highest debt load in Canada and their provincial support program is facing a $780-million deficit. Reforms are on the way, but a number of producers will likely go under

by SUZANNE DEUTSCH

Quebec’s farm support programs may be generous by Canadian standards but, despite a record $550 million payout in 2008, the hog sector in la Belle Province is still suffering. Payouts for this sector were significantly higher than those made to all other non-supply-management and crop commodity sectors combined.

Better Pork - April 2009