Board Highlights

U.S. Tariff Situation Discussion

The Board of Directors focused on the impacts of U.S. tariffs on pork producers and emphasized the urgent need for immediate, targeted support. Staff are collaborating with an economist to analyze how a potential 25% tariff might affect live hog exports and pork products, ensuring advocacy efforts are guided by accurate data. 

The Board approved a multi-pronged strategy that includes strong advocacy, an ask for urgent ad hoc relief, and coordinated outreach to government officials and U.S. counterparts. Recognizing the importance of a dedicated approach, the Board also established the Tariff Impact Working Group, comprising four Board members (including the Chair) and staff, to develop specific program proposals, address communication needs, and provide input on areas such as animal care, transportation, and collaboration with industry partners.

Ontario Pork’s Position on the Pig Code

The Board discussed the upcoming review of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs, a national process taking place every ten years through the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). This review will address pig housing, infrastructure, and other animal care standards that could significantly affect producers. 

To ensure meaningful producer input, Ontario Pork hosted four focus sessions in January, led by James Reesor (Ontario Pork’s representative on the Canadian Pork Council [CPC] Board of Directors and Chair of the CPC Pig Code Review Committee). Producers emphasized that many in Ontario have already invested heavily in group housing; additional major capital requirements could undermine competitiveness if imports are subject to fewer constraints. 

Participants also felt that stricter animal care standards should be driven by market signals rather than blanket regulations, and any new infrastructure requirements should include a realistic transition period of 15–25 years. The Board confirmed that Ontario Pork’s position is that the Code must remain practical, science-based, and financially viable, protecting pork producers’ competitiveness while upholding high-standard animal care.

2025 Zone Meetings and Elections Update

The Board of Directors discussed outcomes and the feedback from producer meetings held by Ontario Pork in January-February 2025. Over 250 producers attended the meetings. As per 403/10 regulation, elections were held in zones 3 and 4 this year for the purpose of electing delegates and Board members. 

Within the zone election process, 32 delegates and 2 Board members were acclaimed. Elections for one at-large Board positions will be held at the Ontario Pork annual general meeting. The deadline for delegates to submit their nominations to Ontario Pork is March 15, 2025.

Submitted Resolutions

The Board reviewed resolutions submitted by the February 21 deadline. No resolutions were identified for debate at the Annual General Meeting (AGM); instead, those selected for discussion will be addressed at Policy Day. 

The 2025 Preliminary Resolutions Booklet is now available. Under the updated resolutions process policy, all submitted resolutions will be considered at the 2025 Policy Day rather than at the AGM, unless they are deemed time-sensitive. This change provides producers with more flexibility and time to submit resolutions prior to the Resolutions committee’s August meeting, when all submissions will be assessed and recommendations made to the Board.

Research Update

The Board of Directors approved funding recommendations for five research projects that the Research Proposal Review Committee had reviewed and recommended for funding at its meeting on March 3, 2025:

• Nutrition and management strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from growing finishing pigs
• Efficacy of novel cellulases produced in Bacillus subtilis as feed additives for sustainable swine production
• Impact of low confinement housing during farrowing on sow welfare and piglet welfare and performance
• Enhancing sow longevity using machine learning predictive modelling
• Risk factors impacting the duration of antimicrobial use in grower-finisher pigs, 2009-2024