Last week the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) hosted North American pork producer leaders in Whistler, British Columbia. Representatives from CPC, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the Mexican pork producer organization, Confederación de Porcicultores Mexicanos (CPM), confirmed the industry’s common focus on producing nutritious, sustainable and affordable pork.

“It was gratifying to see how pork producers from our three countries all recognize they have a fundamental role in maintaining the foundation of a healthy, safe, environmentally sustainable and affordable food supply,” said CPC Chair Rick Bergmann. “This foundation includes the adoption of new approaches and methods demonstrated by sound science to provide the best possible care and handling of our pigs, allow for environmentally sustainable use of our natural resources and achieve favorable results in the quality, safety, affordability and availability of our pork products.”

In reference to a 2012 Iowa study showing that, relative to a 1959 baseline, pig production has achieved a 35% decrease in its carbon footprint, a 41% reduction in water usage and a 78% drop in land needed to produce a pound of pork, NPPC President John Weber said, “Hog producers are very innovative, employing the best proven genetics, using research from animal nutritionists and adopting production technologies that, when combined, have achieved tremendous advances in our industry’s ability to produce high-quality food in a sustainable manner.”

In their discussions, the leaders recognized that, in addition to production efficiencies and environmental sustainability, pork producers share with the rest of society the expectation that pigs are raised in a manner that respects their animal welfare needs as well as society’s concerns that the industry uses antimicrobials prudently.

“Pork producers are deeply committed to the humane and respectful treatment of all pigs in their care,” said CPM President Jose Luis Caram. “In addition to the sensibilities that farmers have toward their animals, producers look also to animal behavior scientists and veterinary practitioners for guidance on housing and nutrition, which is reflected in industry codes of conduct and recommended practices.”

The pork producer leaders found that another commitment in common is the judicious use of animal health products and for farmers to play their part to preserve the continued effectiveness of antibiotics for humans and for animals.