P.E.I. hog producers offered long-term contracts by Écolait Limited
Quebec company will sign deals with producers who agree to animal welfare policies
Island hog producers are being offered a new opportunity with a Quebec-based company called Écolait Limited.
The company is known for ensuring its suppliers make animal welfare practices a priority.
In exchange, farmers are guaranteed the cost of production and other monetary incentives.
The company is offering eight-year contracts to Island producers who agree to their practices of raising hogs in a more natural way.
Agriculture minister Alan McIsaac said it could be an opportunity for existing and even new pork producers on the Island.
"It raises pork, somewhat different than we do now," said McIsaac. "It's not on slab floors, it's on straw ... and such as that different welfare protocols they say."
"But the good news is, it's a bit of a cost production-plus model," explained McIsaac. "It is a longer-term contract and something that well may stimulate the hog industry."
McIsaac said farmers who are interested can tap into some government money in the Growing Forward 2 fund to come up with a business plan, to see if their operations would be a good fit.
Officials with the PEI Hog Commodity Marketing Board said it's still early, but so far two producers are giving serious thought to the idea.
There are currently about 20 hog producers on the Island.