Board Highlights

Kent-Essex Pork Producers’ Association
The Board of Directors approved a draft constitution for the new Kent-Essex Pork Producers’ Association following requests from the Kent and Essex Pork Producers’ Associations to amalgamate. As both associations are located within hog producing zone 1, the proposed amalgamation meets the requirements set out under Ontario Regulation 403/10. The Board also recognized the role local pork producer associations continue to play in community outreach, helping connect producers with their neighbours and build awareness of Ontario’s pork industry.

Ontario Swine Conference – 2027 Planning Update
Planning is underway for the 2027 Ontario Swine Conference, which will again be held at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls on March 23–24, 2027. The Ontario Swine Conference Founders, Ontario Pork, the Ontario Pork Industry Council (OPIC), the University of Guelph, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agri-Business, have agreed on the overall structure and direction for the event.

The first day of the conference will focus on the Ontario Pork annual general meeting and feature speakers discussing broader industry issues such as global trade, pork markets, and consumer trends. The day will also include the industry gala and networking opportunities. The second day will focus on production and research topics relevant to the Ontario pork sector.

Planning efforts will now move toward securing speakers and launching the sponsorship campaign. The Board also discussed opportunities to increase producer attendance at the conference and directed staff to prepare options and associated costs for further consideration later this summer.

Policy and Risk Oversight: Trade and CUSMA Process
The Board of Directors continued discussions on trade and the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), recognizing trade as a critical risk area for Ontario pork producers. Ontario’s pork sector depends on stable, predictable, and rules-based movement of live hogs and pork products across the integrated North American market. The Board confirmed Ontario Pork’s policy position supporting an early extension of CUSMA for a new 16-year term. Ontario Pork continues to closely monitor trade developments and is working with other provincial pork organizations and the Canadian Pork Council to help align advocacy efforts and support a coordinated national approach on trade priorities affecting the pork sector.