Canadian Meat Business

January/February 2009
meatbusi ness.ca $6.00 C

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Prices impacted
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uctuations
Canadian Food
Industry Review
Guest Editorial:
Moving on with the
listeria investigation
pg.5
Bison industry report
Beast of the
Heartland
Undeliverable mail return to: 7-1080 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5S4
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These two can
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Volume 8, Number 1 Januar y/Februar y 2009
6
22 32
14
5 Guest Editorial
by Jim Laws
6 Beast of the Heartland: Bison industry report
by David Elias
10 Canadian Food Industry 2008 Review
by Kevin Grier
14 Heart-Healthy Pork from the Prairies
by Alan MacKenzie
16 Cautious Optimism: New beef processing plant opens in Winnipeg
by Alan MacKenzie
18 Opening Opportunities: Breakthrough trade agreement
with Hong Kong
19 Relieving Economic Pressure: APP program
20 Assembly Line
22 Preparing for Audit Day
by Bill Melville
24 Keeping Food SAFE
by Alan MacKenzie
25 Maple Leaf Reaches Settlement Agreement
26 Industry News
28 Events Calendar
30 Cross Country News
32 OIMPs Annual Meating Place
33 NAMP Guide a Must-Have for Meat Buyers
34 Final Rule on COOL
38 Meat Industry Business Watch
by James Sbrolla
January/February 2009 Canadian Meat Business 3 meatbusiness.ca
| Guest Editorial |
PUBLISHER
Ray Blumenfeld
ray@meatbusiness.ca
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Alan MacKenzie
alan@meatbusiness.ca
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jim Laws, David Elias, Kevin Grier,
Bill Melville, James Sbrolla
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Krista Kline
FINANCE
Jerry Butler
Canadian Meat Business is published
six times a year by We Communications West Inc.
We Communications West Inc.
7-1080 Waverley Street
Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 5S4
Phone: 204.985.9502 Fax: 204.582.9800
Toll Free: 1.800.344.7055
E-mail: publishing@meatbusiness.ca
Website: www.meatbusiness.ca
Canadian Meat Business subscriptions are
available for $36.00/year or $72.00/two years
and includes the annual Buyers Guide issue.
2009 We Communications West Inc.
All rights reserved.
The contents of this publication may not be
reproduced by any means in whole or in part,
without prior written consent from the publisher.
Printed in Canada.
ISSN 1715-6726
January/February 2009 Volume 8 Number 1
Lets get on with
the listeria investigation
008 was an especially difcult
year for Canadas meat industry
with the fatal listeriosis outbreak
at Maple Leaf Foods.
In late summer of 2008, when
deaths and illnesses were linked to his
companys processed meats, Michael
McCain, Maple Leaf Foods chief
executive ofcer, did the right thing
he took complete responsibility for
the outbreak.
By the end of the year Maple Leaf
Foods very quickly resolved the class
action lawsuit with a $27 million
settlement. But Michael McCain was
all alone. For details on the settlement, see
page 25- Ed.
Four months ago, just before calling
the federal election, Prime Minister
Stephen Harper announced the
federal government would launch
an investigation into what caused the
outbreak.
However, once the federal election
was underway, our government went
silent on the listeria issue and Canadians
were left to gure out on their own
what was going on. We in the industry
associations were poorly prepared for
such a rare event. Meanwhile the CFIA
inspectors union leaders had free reign
in the media with unresolved contract
issues pushing them on.
What our industry really needed
was a voice and a face that Canadians
could rely on like we had during the
BSE crisis and the SARS crisis. What we
really needed was Canadas chief public
health ofcer to regularly update
Canadians on the listeria outbreak and
on the new rules that were being put in
place at meat processing facilities.
Finally on Jan. 20 Prime
Minister Harper announced that
former Edmonton health authority
president Sheila Weatherill would
conduct the probe. Ofcials said
the four month delay was due to
complications in nding a suitable
investigator, one with no direct links to
food or product safety. The nal report
is due July 20.
I was reminded recently of the
review of Ontarios meat regulatory
and inspection regimes in 2004 by
Justice Roland Haines. The stated
purpose for the review was to
strengthen public health and safety
and business condence. He made
113 recommendations in the report on
approaches that can be undertaken by
the government of Ontario to improve
the system, including strategies for
accelerating harmonization with the
federal government.
It was a great report with a goal to set
recommendations for improvements
not to lay blame.
So lets get on with our listeria
investigation. Lets make it known
to Canadians that this industry
has and will continue to take full
responsibility for the safety of the meat
that it produces. Lets get on with the
investigation so that all the lessons
learned can be shared with the entire
industry so that this type of outbreak
does not happen again.
Lets show Canadians that we
mean business when we talk about
strengthening public health and safety
and business condence. They need
to know that our industry has not sat
idly by, that we have invested hundreds
of millions of dollars over the years in
food safety systems, laboratory testing,
and in plant sanitation, equipment
and packaging improvements. Lets
tell them that we need access to
the same antimicrobials and food
irradiation processes that our American
competitors have had access to for
almost 10 years.
But, most of all, lets tell the
investigator that never again should
Canadas incredibly competent public
service leaders like our chief medical
ofcer and our chief veterinary
ofcer be the subject of any future
communications black out, regardless
of whether or not our country nds itself
in a federal election, in a precarious
minority government situation, or even
with a prorogued parliament. Human
health and food safety must trump all
other issues.
Jim Laws is the executive director of the
Canadian Meat Council.
2
COMMUNICATIONS WEST INC.
By David Elias
Romance, health benets add to bison meats growing appeal.
Beast of the Heartland
he Canadian Prairies, albeit
plain to some, were once an
endless smorgasbord of forage
to the continents largest mammal. A few
centuries ago the mighty bison thrived in
such abundance that one early explorer
recounted the plains were black and
appeared as if in motion.
Canadas founders owe a heavy debt to
this ruminant, and now a new generation
of farmers is helping restore its former
glory.
These animals were here long before
we were, and theyre built for our
climate, said Canadian Bison Association
executive director Terry Kremeniuk.
Theyre a hardy, indigenous species that
produces very high quality meat.
Ninety-ve percent of Canadian bison
are ranched in their native stomping
ground: the western provinces. Leonard
Epp is a Manitoba producer who
manages Rockwood Bison Ranch. A tour
of his operation reveals the differences
between managing cattle and managing
larger, wild bovine.
We cant use three-wire fences that are
typically seen on cattle farms, said Epp.
We use a game fence like you might nd
in a provincial park. Its stronger and
more reinforced. Anything less wont be
respected by our animals.
Grazing quietly inside their game-
fenced pasture, they seem tame
and docile, but farm-raised bison
are still wild with hair-trigger
ght-or-ight instincts.
You cant walk up to a bison the way
you can to a cow or steer, said Epp. Even
T
6 Canadian Meat Business January/February 2009 meatbusiness.ca
inside my truck Ive been rammed by a
2,500 pound bison bull which pushed
me over ve yards. Theyre very fast and
extremely powerful.
Bison bulls are rarely, if ever, castrated
and are usually sent to the abattoir
when they reach 1,000 pounds. Bison
cows are kept separate from the bulls,
and generally take longer to reach their
1,000-pound processing weight. Epp also
noted that Canadian bison are raised
without growth hormones or antibiotics.
All of these factors add up to a more
primal, rugged ranching experience,
which reinforces among consumers the
romance of this robust prairie animal.
Urban carnivores attack
Randy Schechter is a co-owner of the
popular Energy Kitchen restaurant chain
which has eight locations in Manhattan,
New York. His business specializes in
providing high-protein, low-fat meals in a
fast-casual service and pricing format.
Bison ts perfectly into our menu
lineup, said Schechter, adding the
chains bison cheese steak is one of
their most popular items. New Yorkers
take care of their health. Theyre very
educated and they know what bison is,
and thats why they order it.
The restaurant and hospitality
industries in North America and Europe
represent the primary market for bison
meat. However, retailers are ordering
more and more each year.
For example, Germany and France
are two countries with meat shops that
increasingly stock Canadian bison cuts.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(AAFC) is working with industry groups
to expand foreign markets for bison.
AAFC recently teamed up with the
Canadian Bison Association (CBA) to
attend the worlds largest foodservice and
hospitality event, the National Restaurant
Association Trade show in Chicago.
The response was excellent, said
Kremeniuk. Consumers are starting to
appreciate the quality of this product
and they associate their impressions of
Canada as a fresh, clean environment
with their bison-eating experience.
Does it process differently?
On the meat processing oor, most
bison cuts handle similar to beef cuts.
The proportions are different because
the bison neck and shoulders are much
bulkier than a heifer or steer. But overall,
the two animals are physically very
similar.
The number of bison slaughtered in
a full year is roughly what the Canadian
cattle industry slaughters in half a day,
said Ron Wonneck, senior economist
with AAFCs Manitoba regional ofce.
This product services a niche market
and has virtually no impact on the
Canadian cattle industry.
Because of its niche status, marketers
tend to work closely with processors to
ensure animals are cut to meet clients
needs.
We only do custom processing
to service marketers at our plants,
explained Yvo Schmucki, president of
Canadian Premium Meats in Lacombe,
Alta.
We havent had much difculty in
marketing the byproducts from our bison
processing, he said. A hide marketer
purchases all of our hides and we use
some of the offal for human products
and other parts for animal products.
This product services
a niche market and has
virtually no impact on the
Canadian cattle industry.
Ron Wonneck, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada
Since 2001, the number of bison
slaughtered in federally and provincially
inspected establishments has nearly
tripled. Boneless bison meat exports have
grown at roughly the same rate, but this
burgeoning meat variety is still far from
becoming a mainstream staple.
Bison production
The average pasture-grazing bison
is built to convert low-protein forages
like grass and straw into energy more
efciently than cattle. Yet similar to
cattle, a bisons nishing diet can be
supplemented with grain to make them
gain weight faster. A grain diet helps
infuse the otherwise lean meat with
higher fat content which makes it juicier
and more tender.
Most bison cuts available in commercial
markets all come from grain-nished
animals, which is why the fat has a whitish
colour. Grass-nished bison, raised
entirely on a cereal-free diet, has a more
tawny-coloured fat and is available mainly
through farm-direct marketers.
The Canadian bison herd is over
200,000 head (compare that to roughly
15 million cattle).
A growing portion of Canadas
commercial bison are shipped as live
animals to the U.S. for feeding or
processing with the remaining animals
being kept in Canada for domestic
processing.
British Columbia and Alberta each
have three federally certied plants that
process bison and Manitoba has one; no
federally certied plant currently exists in
Saskatchewan. Bison are also slaughtered
by provincially certied plants.
The CBA notes demand for bison
meat is beginning to exceed supply and
prices are expected to remain strong in
the foreseeable future.
According to the 2006 census, Alberta
raises nearly 100,000 head of bison,
Saskatchewan 60,000, Manitoba 20,000
and B.C. 13,000. Another 10,000 head are
spread across the rest of Eastern Canada
mainly in Quebec and Ontario.
The modern-day commercial bison
industry is only 20 years old, which is a
blink of an eye compared to how long
bison have roamed the range, said
Kremeniuk. As business ramps up, with
the support of the national and provincial
bison associations, bison marketers,
processors and other stakeholders along
the value chain, including AAFC, we
expect sustained growth over the next
several years.
As consumer interest in bison
meat continues to rise, retailers and
restaurateurs are expected to boost their
demand for this product. Producers will
be working to meet the demands of this
growing international and domestic
market, but it is a challenge that they
welcome with open arms.
The modern-day
commercial bison industry
is only 20 years old,
which is a blink of an
eye compared to how
long bison have roamed
the range.
Terry Kremeniuk,

Canadian Bison Association
David Elias is a communications
advisor at Agriculture and Agri-
Food Canada in Winnipeg.
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By Kevin Grier, senior market analyst, George Morris Centre
Canadian Food
he Canadian food industry
was marked by contrasts and
extreme volatility in 2008.
Changes in commodity prices and
the exchange rate made it difcult
to interpret pricing performances,
and disparity among various
segments of the overall food industry
precluded generalizations. The
following is a review of developments
in the Canadian food retail and
manufacturing industries with a focus
on sales, pricing, and the impact of
the exchange rate.
Supermarket sales
Based on Statistics Canada data
through October 2008, it appears that
supermarket sales likely increased
by at least four per cent in 2008.
Canadian supermarket sales last year
will likely total $69 billion, compared
to just less than $66 billion in 2007.
Total retail sales, not including autos
and auto parts will have increased by
about seven per cent in 2008.
On a year to date basis from January
to November, grocery store prices
increased by 3.5 per cent compared
to the same period in 2007. That
means that real tonnage through
grocery stores in 2008 will likely have
increased by about one per cent in
2008, a modest improvement over
2007.
Retail pricing activity appeared to
pick up dramatically at the end of 2008,
as average prices of food purchased
from grocery stores soared higher
in November compared to October.
Statistics Canadas Consumer Price
Index (CPI) measures price changes,
relative to the base year of 2002,
showing trends for the following
categories: Food from Stores; Food
from Restaurants; and All Items
Excluding Food.
According to the CPI, grocery
prices on average increased by 2.5
per cent in November compared to
October. November 2008 average
grocery prices increased by nine per
cent compared to November 2007.
The grocery performance compares
to a year to date change of 2.4 per
cent for all items, excluding food.
Prices for all items excluding food
declined one per cent from October
to November.
Breaking down the November price
T
Food prices impacted by exchange rate uctuation.
Industry 2008 Review
increases at food stores shows that the
major cause of the increase was fresh
fruits and vegetables. On a month-
to-month basis, fresh fruits increased
by six per cent while fresh vegetables
increased by 20 per cent. Both of
these product categories comprise
signicant shares of the overall food
CPI and as such, major changes in
both lead to changes in the average.
During the rst three quarters
of 2007, the average price of food
purchased from stores declined,
particularly in the third quarter.
Ironically, the main cause of the
decline in the grocery CPI at that time
was fresh fruits and vegetables, which
decreased by seven per cent and 15
per cent respectively from October
2006 to October 2007. The common
factor for the increase in prices this
year and the decrease in prices last
year was the change in the exchange
rate.
Exchange rate impact
The Canadian dollar appreciated
dramatically through most of 2007,
peaking in early November, and
depreciated just as dramatically in the
fourth quarter 2008. Fresh fruits and
vegetables are very sensitive to changes
in the exchange rate, especially
during fall and winter when Canadian
product is not available. The fact that
the exchange rate peaked last fall,
and then dipped most severely this
fall, makes year over year food price
changes much more noticeable.
As a nal point with regard to the
pricing situation, Canadian price
increases have generally been much
more modest than U.S. grocery
increases in 2008. On a year to date
basis through November, U.S. prices
of food consumed at home increased
by well over six per cent, compared
to the previously stated Canadian
increase of 3.5 per cent.
It is clear that U.S. increases
outpaced Canadian increases in 2008.
This is of particular interest, even
accounting for the steep Canadian
dollar-induced decline in the third
quarter 2007, which would have
exaggerated the year over year change
in Canada.
The assertion, therefore, is that
while the price of food purchased
from stores in Canada did increase
dramatically in November, it was
due more to exchange rate and cost
changes than to margin increases at
retail.
Manufacturer sales
Based on Statistics Canada data
through October 2008, it appears that
food manufacturer sales are likely to
increase by ve per cent in 2008, which
means that 2008 food manufacturing
sales will hit $77.6 billion, compared
to $73.9 billion in 2007.
The ve per cent increase in
food sales in 2008 compares to less
than one per cent growth in total
manufacturing sales. The one per
cent growth in total manufacturing in
2008 comes after zero growth in 2007.
Food manufacturings share of total
manufacturing sales in Canada will
be just about 12.6 per cent in 2008,
the largest share food has taken since
1993 when it was 13 per cent.
It is clear that U.S.
increases outpaced
Canadian increases
in 2008.
In the U.S., total food manufacturer
sales are likely going to be up by eight
per cent in 2008 compared to 2007.
The U.S. growth was the rst year in
the last seven that Canadian sales have
been slower than U.S. sales in Canadian
dollar terms. However, in recent years
the Canadian food manufacturer
share is generally increasing against
both total Canadian manufacturing
and U.S. food manufacturing.
Within the context of a four to ve
per cent overall sales increase, not
surprisingly, the individual sectors
within the overall food industry have
performed very differently in terms
of 2008 sales. From the perspective
of major food manufacturing sales
changes between 2007 to 2008, there
has been signicant growth in our
milling and vegetable oils sales, while
confectionery, meat and cereal sales
actually declined last year.
Manufacturer pricing
The strong showing in food
manufacturing sales is due, at least in
part, to higher pricing. The Statistics
Canada Industry Price Index (IPI)
measures the changes in prices at the
manufacturer level. The IPI measures
changes in prices for manufactured
goods sold to wholesale or retail, and
includes discounts and allowances.
Looking at the trend in the IPI
for food manufacturing and total
manufacturing, food manufacturer
prices decreased for three straight
months starting in September.
Nevertheless, food manufacturer
prices rose signicantly on average
during 2008. On a year to date basis
from January through November,
the food manufacturing price index
increased by nearly ve per cent
compared to 2007, and November
2008 food manufacturer prices were
4.6 per cent higher than November
2007.
It is of interest to note, however,
that most of the increase in food
manufacturing is occurring in
animal food manufacturing and
grain milling. Animal food includes
pet food as well as livestock feed, and
grain milling includes our milling
and oilseed processing. Big price
increases are consistent with huge sales
increases. Other manufacturer prices for
products such as frozen foods, cereal,
confectionery, and dairy all saw price
increases less than the overall average,
while meat prices actually declined in
2008. Bakery products, which increased
in price by up to six per cent, were one
of the few areas in which a basic food
product increased materially in 2008.
As such, the biggest increases in food
manufacturing have occurred at the
primary manufacturing level, which
suggests two points:
The manufacturing industry is still
working through the major commodity
cost increases that occurred during the
rst half of 2008.
With the recent declines in commodity
prices, manufacturers will have a difcult
time pushing through the costs they
absorbed in the rst half of 2008.
Despite the volatility, it does appear
that food manufacturers were able to
pass along decent pricing increases
in 2008. Retailers, for their part, were
also able to move pricing higher in key
areas.
Looking forward, economic
challenges will result in a more difcult
pricing environment. Grocers are always
sensitive to their price image and this
will heighten in 2009. Manufacturers
will not have big increases in commodity
prices to use as arguments for pricing
increases. Watch for more margin
pressures for both manufacturers and
retailers in 2009.
The strong
showing in food
manufacturing sales
is due, at least
in part, to higher
pricing.
A version of this article first appeared in the
January 2009 issue of Grocery Trade Review,
published by the George Morris Centre. If you
would like a free trial subscription to Grocery
Trade Review, or one of four other market
publications, please email Kevin Grier at
Kevin@georgemorris.org.
Winnipeg-based company
kicked off the new year by
becoming the rst to market
omega-3 enriched pork in Canadian
retail stores.
Prairie Orchard Farms launched
its omega-3 pork products at ve
Foodfare stores in Winnipeg on Jan. 12.
According to the companys president,
Willy Hoffmann, the products should be
available across the country by March.
Were very happy that Foodfare
has agreed to work with us, he said,
noting that Prairie Orchards products
were previously only available in select
restaurants and specialty retailers,
mostly in Manitoba but also as far away
as New York.
Prairie Orchard Farms is currently
the only company to have approval from
both the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to
produce omega-3 pork and chicken.
Omega-3s are fatty acids traditionally
found in high levels in seafood
and associated with improved
cardiovascular health and other health
benets. Through experimenting
with feed mixes including, most
importantly, axseed, a source of
omega-3s in the form of alpha-linolenic
acid (ALA) Prairie Orchard discovered
a high amount of the fatty acids in its
meat.
To begin with the company will
market its omega-3 raw pork products,
followed by omega-3 chicken and
processed meats. Hoffmann said he
hopes to have the omega-3 turkey on
retail shelves before the end of the year
as well.
We have been working with some
processors here in Winnipeg, such as
Smiths (Quality Meats) and Winnipeg
Old Country Sausage, on further
processed material, he said, noting
that omega-3 farmer sausage, breakfast
sausage, bologna, wieners and even
bacon could all be hitting shelves in the
near future. Healthy bacon sounds
like an oxymoron its bacon with
benets.
In addition to omega-3s, Prairie
Orchards meat products are rich with
selenium, a mineral that can help boost
a persons immune system, may help to
prevent cancer and Alzheimers disease,
Hoffmann noted.
Hoffmann added that a challenge in
creating the products has been nding
the right taste.
We worked with a number of
different grains, vitamins and minerals
all natural until we had the avour
prole that we were happy with, also
creating the high omega-3 content, he
said. We had to make sure we were able
to do this without seasonal effect, so
that we had similar results year-round.
Greg Anania, owner and head chef of
Bellissimo, a Winnipeg restaurant that
has served Prairie Orchards omega-3
pork products for over two years, said
the avour and tenderness of the meat
have earned a great response from
customers.
A
Winnipeg company introduces omega-3 enriched pork to retail stores.
Heart-Healthy Pork
from the Prairies
By Alan MacKenzie
Owner and head chef of Bellissimo restaurant, Greg Anania says customers are
enjoying the taste and tenderness of Prairie Orchard Farms omega-3 enriched pork.
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Healthy bacon sounds like an oxymoron its bacon
with benefits.
Willy Hoffmann, president, Prairie Orchard Farms
It has a little bit of a darker colour
and more of a full avour to it, he said.
In the cooking process Im nding that
its a little more tender than the regular
pork tenderloin that I had been using.
The price is slightly above a regular
pork tenderloin, but you get what you
pay for.
Prairie Orchard began its research
into value-added meat in 2000 when
it was a division of Max Pro Feeds
Ltd., a company Hoffman co-owned.
In 2004 the feed company was sold
and Hoffmann retained the division,
creating a new company. Prairie
Orchards rst regulation approval
came in 2005 for its omega-3 pork. In
2007 it received approval for omega-3
chicken from the USDA and CFIA, and
last year the companys new omega-3
turkey also received approval from the
two agencies.
Part of the reason Prairie Orchard is
able to move into the retail market at
this time is due to some new Chinese
investors that are also hoping to have
the products approved and available in
China in the near future.
Weve been out there a few times
and there are some great opportunities
initially to ship the omega-3 meat
products from Canada into China, and
long-term to produce omega-3 products
in China.
The company has won numerous
awards for its products in recent years,
including the 2008 Product of the Year
(Large Business) from the Manitoba
Food Processors Association, the Dr.
F.X. Ahern Prize for Innovative Pork
Production awarded at the 2008 Banff
Pork Seminar and a 2007 innovation
award from Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada.
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atural Prairie Beef (NPB)
and the Manitoba Cattle
Enhancement Council
(MCEC) have been announced as
the rst two shareholders of Keystone
Processors Ltd., a newly formed
company that will begin operations
of a new beef processing facility in
Winnipeg in the early part of this year.
While in the current economic
climate youre more likely to hear about
layoffs than new plant openings, the
new company is optimistic about the
venture, according to MCEC executive
director Kate Butler.
One of the reasons MCEC exists
is because this kind of venture is
risky by nature, Butler said. Were
approaching this with a lot of caution,
but also with a lot of optimism. This
has to happen so there is less risk
overall for the (Manitoba) producers
in the marketplace. The international
markets themselves are the very reason
this needs to be done. The whole
economic climate is just illustrating the
fact that its important for us to have
a viable plant here in the province so
were not as dependent on those world
forces. We need to take care of our
own.
Butler said the new company expects
to have more shareholders in place
once the plant opens.
Were seeking that shortly, but were
approaching it step-by-step, she said.
Right now the plant is being ramped
up to start production as soon as
possible. Thats the rst priority.
Butler said approximately two-
thirds of the plant originally a Maple
Leaf hog processing facility will be
completely rebuilt with state-of-the-art
technology and food safety upgrades.
The cost of the venture, including
upgrades, is about $2.5 million.
Were not just taking an old plant
and making it work were turning it
into a brand new facility, she said. Its
being renovated to the level of being
one of the best in the business.
The plants rst phase, which focuses
on processing and marketing products
to Manitoba consumers, is expected
to begin in the early part of 2009. By
late 2010 the plant will be completely
renovated to serve as a federally
inspected beef slaughtering and
processing facility. Once the plant has
been federally inspected, its products
will be available to major supermarket
chains and can be exported outside
of Manitoba and Canada. The plant is
expected to employ 100 people when
complete.
The original deal to purchase the
plant was announced in July 2008 by
NPB, a private company owned by 50
Manitoba beef producers that raises
and markets cattle under its Natural
branded beef program.
According to Butler, the exibility
of the new corporate structure,
which could accommodate a variety
of shareholders, will allow multiple
companies to invest in and utilize
the plant to produce whatever kind
of cattle they raise whether that is
natural, organic or conventional. The
plant will also be set up to slaughter
bison and will offer niche products
such as kosher and halal beef.
According to NPB president and CEO
Kelly Penner, the company is working
closely with the City of Winnipeg and
Manitoba Conservation to ensure it
meets or exceeds all environmental
regulations. He stated in a release that
the facility passed a rigorous Phase II
environmental assessment last year and
that it will produce signicantly less
waste than it previously did.
Were holding ourselves to very
high environmental and community
standards, he said. Were developing
a rst-class facility that will use the latest
technology. Were also committed to
continuously searching out new ways
to reduce waste.
The company doesnt expect to
complete building the slaughter
operations until 2010. Until then, it
will be sub-contracting the slaughter
of cattle to other Manitoba facilities.
The company said it expects to start
accepting about 250 head of cattle per
day in 2010. The plant is designed to
handle up to 500 head per day. The
phased in approach will allow Keystone
Processors Ltd. to start accepting
Manitoba cattle and begin marketing
its products in the short term, while
positioning itself for future growth.
Were really hopeful that this is
going to be of a long term benet
to Manitoba producers and to the
meat industry in general in Canada,
Butler said.
N
Keystone Processors set to open new beef processing
plant, despite tough economic times.
Cautious Optimism
By Alan MacKenzie
The international markets
themselves are the very
reason this needs to be
done.
Kate Butler, Manitoba Cattle

Enhancement Council
anadas agriculture minister
Gerry Ritz announced on Jan.
16 that Canada has reached an
agreement-in-principle that will open
up export opportunities for Canada in
Hong Kong. He said Canada will work
closely with Hong Kong authorities
to ensure quality and safety standards
are met in order to complete a staged
process within this calendar year. The
announcement came after Ritz met with
Hong Kong food and health secretary
Dr. York Chow on a trade mission.
Canadian Cattlemens Association
(CCA) president Brad Wildeman, who
recently joined Ritz on the trade mission
to Hong Kong, said the agreement is a
win for both countries.
It signicantly improves the bottom
line for Canadian producers, and
provides Hong Kong families with
access to high-quality, safe Canadian
beef, Wildeman said in a release. It
also sends a strong market signal of
Canadas serious intent to re-open
and expand commercially viable trade
of Canadian beef to other nations,
worldwide.
Wildeman, said this is the most
signicant market access development
since 2007, when U.S. borders opened
to beef over-thirty-months of age, and
Mexico allowed bone-in beef, under-
thirty-months of age, plus Canadian
breeding cattle.
The rst stage of the Hong Kong
agreement allows most bone-in beef
products excluding vertebral column
cuts, plus rib cuts from cattle under
thirty months of age. After complying
with Hong Kongs requirements during
an initial four month, phase-in period,
it allows exports of rib cuts, boneless
beef and offal from all Canadian cattle.
By the end of 2009, if Canada meets the
full requirements, Hong Kong borders
will open to all remaining Canadian
beef exports from cattle under-thirty-
months of age, including t-bone and
porterhouse steaks.
Before market closures due to
the May 2003 outbreak of bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE),
Hong Kong was Canadas 10th largest
export market in 2002, according to
the CCA. That year alone Hong Kong
imported 625 tonnes of Canadian beef,
worth $2.9 million.
In 2004 Hong Kong began accepting
boneless Canadian beef from cattle
under 30 months of age. Since then
Hong Kong has become Canadas
third-largest export market. Since
2005 Canada has been exporting, on
average, approximately 18,000 tonnes
of beef per year into Hong Kong
nearly a 3,000 per cent increase over
2002. The CCA said that with the new
agreement the ability to ship bone-in
products and offal will signicantly
increase the tonnage shipped, as well
as the value per tonne.
Our federal governments trade
negotiators achieved a major step
toward restoring export trade and
the economic health of Canadas
beef cattle industry, Wildeman said.
We hope this continues to build
momentum in trade negotiations with
other countries. It should send a strong
signal to other Asian markets that its
time to review their export restrictions.
Canada expects these countries to show
more exibility, in line with the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
recommendations to resume full trade
in all Canadian beef products, provided
specied risk materials are removed.
According to the Canada Beef Export
Federation, the improved access could
mean an increase in Canadian beef
exports to Hong Kong by as much as
$26 million, almost doubling current
exports.
While on the same trade mission
minister Ritz travelled to India, where
he signed Canadas rst agricultural
memorandum of understanding
with India to create a framework to
expand agricultural trade between the
two countries. Canadian agricultural
exports to India are currently worth
$445 million.
Ritz also announced that Indian
agriculture minister Sharad Pawar
agreed to work toward opening access
for Canadian pork. According to a
Government of Canada release, this
will be realized through the efforts of
a newly established bilateral working
group on veterinary matters over the
coming year.
Canadian farmers want to make
their living in the market place and
this government is working hard to
make sure that market includes new
opportunities in India, Hong Kong, and
around the world, Ritz said in a release.
These new marketing opportunities
will help Canada to weather the current
economic uncertainty and come out
stronger than ever.
- staff
C
Breakthrough trade agreement with Hong Kong
improves market outlook for Canadian beef.
Opening Opportunities
We hope this continues to
build momentum in trade
negotiations with other
countries.
Brad Wildeman, Canadian

Cattlemens Association
attle and hog producers facing
hard nancial times now have
until Sept. 30, 2010, to repay
cash advances under the Advance
Payment Program (APP), agriculture
minister Gerry Ritz announced. In
addition, the rst $100,000 of each
producers advance will continue to be
interest-free.
Thousands of farmers across the
country have taken advantage of APP
loans and this extension will keep them
in business and provide relief during
the current credit crunch, Ritz said in
a release.
The extension of the repayment
deadline applies to regular and
emergency loans taken by cattle and
hog producers during the 2008-09
production period. The Stay of Default
covers more than $450 million in
advances to the livestock sector.
This extension assists Canadian hog
producers to cope with the current
nancial crisis, said Jurgen Preugschas,
president of the Canadian Pork Council.
We are pleased that the government
recognizes the nancial difculties hog
producers are experiencing in these
tough economic times.
Producers can still apply for APP
emergency advances until March
31, 2009. Regular APP advances will
continue to be available. Beginning in
April, producers who meet eligibility
criteria will be able to apply for 2009-10
regular advances.
Brad Wildeman, president of the
Canadian Cattlemens Association
(CCA), said this news comes at a good
time for Canadian livestock producers,
who face many ongoing challenges
including the world economic crisis
and market uncertainty created by the
United States country-of-origin labelling
(COOL).
Canadian cattle producers have
endured considerable challenges
for the past several years, and its
encouraging to know that our federal
government recognizes the importance
of equipping producers with tools to
effectively manage their bottom line,
particularly when there is no immediate
end in sight for some of the issues facing
the industry, he stated. The APP makes
it possible for producers to bring their
bottom line back into the black.
Wildeman added that the CCA
will keep working with the federal
government to improve business risk
management programs to ensure
they work for Canadian producers,
saying that, we appreciate the federal
governments responsiveness to both
our production and trade issues. We
applaud this renewed commitment
through the APP program, as well
as their new, stronger approach to
international market access issues
recently implemented as a result of
recommendations we made on global
export market access during the Beef
Value Chain Roundtable meetings last
fall. Im condent this collaborative
approach, and results, will renew
hope for the industry and create a
strong, sustainable future improving
operating costs and market
opportunities.
-staff
Relieving Economic Pressure
Opportunities
C
Producers have more time to repay advances under APP program.
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new product e-mail alan@meatbusiness.ca.
FKI Logistex Launches New
Conveyors
FKI Logistex, a leader in integrated
material handling solutions, recently
announced the North American
launch of the Logistex MR200
Motorized Roller Conveyor, a time-
saving, energy-efcient system that is
part of the companys new Logistex
Case Conveyor Solutions (LCCS)
product family. The MR200 provides
24-volt motorized roller zero-contact
accumulation and features a standard
control module for straightforward
programming without the need for
reengineering or additional tools.
The FKI Logistex MR200 arrives
ready to plug-and-play, featuring a
wide range of pre-programmed zone
control options that can be changed
using simple switch settings, without
the need for software programming.
Those looking for more customization
can add a zone director to perform
higher-level control actions, while
taking advantage of the built-in zone
logic control.
The MR200 features run-on-
demand logic and all-electrical design,
signicantly increasing energy savings
over a conventional conveyor. The
MR200 reduces wiring and includes
robust, molded connections that
decrease potential points of failure.
Additionally, integral wiring and
hardware LED status indicators simplify
diagnostics and troubleshooting.
Also launched in North America is
the Logistex NB200 Narrow-Belt Driven
Roller Conveyor, that is also part of the
LCCS line. The FKI Logistex NB200
offers maximum system throughput
rates by using time-tested, proven
algorithms for release modes and zero-
pressure accumulation.
The NB200 provides customers with
the option of three standard release
modes, which can be changed quickly
and easily with selectable switch settings.
The NB200 conveyor offers enhanced
ease of maintenance and reduced belt
wear. The conveyor includes a unique
self-tracking feature that recognizes
when the belt has shifted to the left
or the right, reducing maintenance
requirements. The conveyor also
operates without the use of a chain,
eliminating the need for oil and making
it ideal for clean environments such as
food, beverage and pharmaceutical
processing facilities.
The NB200s accumulation and
release modes are derived from
proven FKI Logistex zone control logic
that maximize throughput. Multiple
accumulation and release modes
options allow the NB200 to provide
reliable high density accumulation
and release throughput. Flexible
accumulation options include
downstream zone look-ahead that
allows product to move downstream at
the best possible rate while maintaining
gentle zero-pressure accumulation.
The conveyor includes the ability to
switch between slug and singulation
release modes to match the ow
demands of an application. The NB200
also offers an innovative dynamic auto-
slug feature, which is a built-in option
that allows the NB200 accumulation
zones to self-monitor product
density and move groups of product
downstream when space is available.
This option increases accumulation
throughput by 10 per cent over other
similar accumulation methods.
fkilogistex.com
Sorter Technology Reduces
Energy Consumption and
Increases Reliability
The new LS-4000E tilt-tray and LS-
4000CB cross-belt sorters form FKI
Logistex feature linear synchronous
motor (LSM) technology, consume
approximately 75 per cent less energy
than comparable sorter systems
using linear induction motor (LIM)
technology.
The LS-4000s LSM generates
propulsive force via electromagnetic
energy, as opposed to mechanical
friction between moving parts. This
operation reduces energy consumption
and noise levels, while increasing
speed, reliability and positioning
accuracy. In addition to the LSM drive,
the LS-4000E and LS-4000CB feature a
modular design that enhances system
exibility and offers fast and easy
installation and commissioning.
Electrical consumption tests
conducted under typical warehouse
conditions demonstrate that, on
average, the LS-4000E tilt-tray sorter
consumes 2.4 kilowatts per hour
of operation. In contrast, energy
consumption of a comparable sorter
using LIM technology is 10.3 kilowatts
per hour. Tests of cross-belt sortation
technology demonstrate that the LS-
4000CB cross-belt sorter consumes an
average of 2.7 kilowatts per hour of
operation while energy consumption
of a comparable sorter using LIM
technology is 11.0 kilowatts per hour.
As the chart below illustrates, the LS-
4000E and the LS-4000CB can provide
energy savings of 19.8 megawatt hours
(19,800 kilowatt hours) per year
and over 20 megawatt hours (20,000
kilowatt hours) respectively.
fkilogistex.com
FKI Logistex Unveils Secure
Remote Access System
FKI Logistex has released NetLok,
a secure information infrastructure
for remote connectivity. The
announcement was made by Steve
Ackerman, president, FKI Logistex North America, at a press
conference held at ProMat 2009 in Chicago, Ill.
NetLok features a closed-loop login procedure with a
restricted login provision, allowing secure, one-time access
to the network by authorized technical support staff. With
reliable 24/7 diagnostics availability, FKI Logistex technical
support staff can log-in remotely to troubleshoot, identify and
respond immediately to the problem with the appropriate
solution. NetLok proactively detects connectivity problems,
reducing potential lapses in diagnostics. The system can also
automatically track, record and archive an audit of remote
network access.
NetLok supports multiple industry-standard connection
types, centering around a virtual private network (VPN), and
can handle PLC or PC systems from the same connection,
allowing several sites to be managed without the need for
resident connectivity applications. Using a pool of dedicated
network resources, and with built-in redundancy provided
by a secure mirror site, NetLok provides speeds that are up
to 120 times faster than traditional modem connections.
Featuring a common user interface, NetLok provides
network access without the need for special clients. Existing
FKI Logistex customers can easily upgrade their legacy
systems to NetLok to gain the benets of a secure and reliable
remote connectivity package. More than 200 of FKI Logistex
customer sites worldwide are currently accessible via NetLok,
and over 100 of those are in North America alone.
Rollstock Zipper Machine Offers Big Value
With Small Footprint
Rollstocks RZ-200 Zipper Packaging Machine is designed
for seafood, luncheon meats, bacon and any food or non-
food products that require a reliable, consumer-friendly
reclosable feature.
Like all Rollstock equipment, the RZ-200 offers simple
reliability in a low cost machine. A proven simple and reliable
zipper system developed by Pro-Pac Services is built into the
already proven standard Rollstock Inc. machine, making most
parts interchangeable. At 18 feet, this machine is less than
50 per cent the length of most standard zipper machines,
which frees up valuable oor space. Starting at $199,000, the
RZ-200 is nearly 50 per cent less than the standard zipper
machines currently available. With 10 to 14 week deliveries,
Rollstock Inc. requires nearly 50 per cent less lead time than
standard zipper machines currently available.
rollstock.com
or the meat processing business, audits are
crucial. A failing score can not only mean a loss
of profits if a plant is shut down, but it can also
invite unwelcome media scrutiny. One area key to audit
success is pest control sometimes accounting for up
to 20 per cent of a facilitys total audit score. With pests
like flies and cockroaches carrying pathogens such as E.
coli and shigella its no wonder auditors want to see
proof of a proactive pest control program. Fortunately,
implementing an integrated pest management (IPM)
program that focuses on detailed documentation can
help ensure auditors are giving you an A on pest
control.
Auditors like to see an IPM program in place because
its an ongoing process that focuses on sanitation
and facility maintenance to prevent pest problems
before they start. If pests are found in a facility, IPM
emphasizes non-chemical remediation over chemical
treatments thereby reducing the likelihood of chemicals
contaminating meat. When chemicals are necessary
to treat a pest problem, they are applied in the least
amount possible and in the least volatile form. How
does an auditor know your facility takes preventive steps
and uses chemicals only when necessary? The answer is:
documentation.
Thorough documentation is a crucial piece of the
IPM process. Even if you choose to maintain electronic
records, it is always recommended to keep hard copies
in a binder for easy reference. Keep these records
current at all times, and place the binder in a central
location so it can be easily accessed when auditors stop
by. The binder should contain accurate and updated
records including:
Service reports and corrective actions
Up-to-date service reports from your pest management
professional will show an auditor that your facility is
regularly inspected for pest issues. IPM programs need
to be consistently re-evaluated to ensure changes at the
facility have not allowed pests to breach your defenses. If
an issue should arise, corrective action reports indicate
what steps were taken to either treat a pest problem,
or to fix facility maintenance and sanitation issues that
have the potential to foster pest problems.
Pest activity reports and trend data
Pest activity reports detail pest sightings, along with
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Ask your pest management professional about using a
tracking device to generate data on pest trends. Keep
printed copies of this data in your binder to show auditors
that youre proactively monitoring for pest trends.
By Bill Melville
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the type and growth stage of the pest. Its important to
note these details because it can indicate the difference
between a one-time pest sighting and an infestation.
Ask your pest management professional about using
a tracking device to generate data on pest trends. For
example, if a certain trap is continually catching pests,
you can target the surrounding area to ascertain why
pests are seeking out that specific location.
Pesticide usage and material safety
data sheets
Pesticide usage logs indicate when and where
pesticides have been applied. By accurately detailing
pesticide application records, you show the auditor that
pesticides have been used in accordance with your IPM
program and the law. The logs should include dates,
times and sites of applications; quantities applied;
methods of application; targeted pests; and the name
and certification/license number of the applicator.
Additionally, material safety data sheets (MSDS) with
the trade name and active ingredient of the pesticides
must be kept on hand. Not only will auditors inspect
the entirety of this information, but they also will verify
that regulatory agencies approve of the pesticide for
use in a food processing plant. Your plant also may have
an internal approved list of pesticides.
Floor plans
Every auditor will want to see detailed floor plan
schematics showing the location of all pest traps. They
will likely walk the facility to ensure the traps are placed
where indicated. This is an easy way to lose points so ask
your pest management professional to ensure the map
is updated before planned inspections. Remember that
all indoor and outdoor traps should be numbered and
represented on the trap layout map.
In addition to reports and maps, youll want to include
an original service contract, and the pest management
providers liability insurance records and business
license. Meet regularly with your pest management
professional to make sure that all your documentation
is complete and correct.
Preparing your documentation in advance means one
less thing to worry about come audit day.
Even if you choose to maintain electronic records, it is always recommended
to keep hard copies in a binder for easy reference.
Bill Melville is a quality assurance director for Orkin PCO Services.
For more information, contactbmelville@pcocanada.com or visit
orkincanada.com.
Have your pest management professional add a service
report to your documentation binder after each visit.
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Under its new parent company the Supplier
Assessments for Food Excellence Program (GMA-
SAFE) will see improvements that will help the
third-party audit plan grow in 2009, according to program
director Bruce Becker.
The program, which was created in 2000 by what was then
known as the National Food Processors Association (NFPA),
was acquired by QMI-SAI Global last June. NFPA later became
the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), which is still
involved with the program but provides more of an advisory
function rather than doing day-today operations.
QMI-SAI is the Americas Division of SAI Global Limited.
The company is a world leader in training, auditing and
assessment with a client base of food organizations of over
5,000 food manufacturers and 25,000 food producers. SAI
Global says it is experienced in working with virtually every
signicant global food auditing and assessment standard or
program.
Under QMI-SAI Global, the program name, logo, contact
information, web pages and other elements will not change.
The Washington, D.C. ofce will remain in operation.
GMA-SAFE will be making enhancements to customer
and auditor interfaces to provide the program with
expanded functionality for auditor and assessment report
management, Becker says, noting a new, more user-friendly
computer platform will be put in place before the end of
2009s rst quarter.
Also QMI-SAI has a very strong marketing capability that
will ensure the GMA-SAFE value proposition will reach a
broad audience around the world, he adds.
Becker explains that GMA-SAFE gives food manufacturers
brand protection while helping retailers with due diligence.
Its a complete system that incorporates food safety, food
defense and food quality in one comprehensive assessment,
he says. We provide food organizations with this one
assessment from which the data and information placed
into the GMA-SAFE database can be used to meet multiple
assessment needs. Its core competency is built upon the fact
that it does not discriminate among standards employed by
the food industry throughout the world and the reality that
no single set of standards could ever be adopted worldwide
that would simultaneously drive both safety and economic
efciency.
The assessment consists of approximately 630 questions
to be answered by a GMA-SAFE qualied auditor. There are
over 200 spread across all key global markets, Becker says. He
estimates that 75 per cent have been qualied SAFE auditors
since the programs inception.
Most of our auditors are very seasoned, he notes. Most
of them were QA (quality assurance) reps in companies
that utilized SAFE, so when the retired from their jobs they
became SAFE auditors because they were familiar with the
strong value the program can bring to a food organization.
Since its inception, GMA-SAFE has performed over 4,000
assessments across 30 countries.
T
Third-party audit program moves ahead under new management.
Keeping Food SAFE
By Alan MacKenzie
With great sadness Lesters Foods Ltd. has announced
the passing of its founder, Moe Lester on Aug. 11, 2008
at the age of 72.
Lesters Foods is one of Canadas largest meat
processing companies serving both the food service
and retail industries. The company is well known for
its smoked meat, hot dogs, steak spice seasoning and
many other ne deli products such as pastrami, roast
beef, pepperoni, salami, bologna and deli meat loaves.
Lesters was a pioneer in the development of the world
famous Montreal smoked meat and its original recipe
continues to be a favourite for its unique taste and
texture.
Through perseverance, drive and vision, Moe Lester
transformed the familys small deli on Montreals
renowned St. Lawrence Boulevard into a national
company.
Lesters Foods, supplying its increasingly popular
products to many retail stores and restaurants during
the early and late fties.
A humble man, who shunned the limelight, Moe
Lester was well respected by his employees and his
peers in the industry, the company said in a release.
He will be missed.
- Staff
Lesters Foods Marks
Passing of Founder
aple Leaf Foods has reached a settlement
agreement with the principal counsel groups that
launched class actions following the August 2008
listeriosis outbreak that was linked to products from the
companys Bartor Road facility in Toronto.
The settlement was announced Dec. 18 and is subject to
court approvals in Saskatchewan, Quebec and Ontario.
Our goal throughout this legal process has been to
negotiate a fair and early settlement so that we can obtain
court approvals and promptly compensate families who were
affected, Maple Leaf president and CEO Michael H. McCain
said in a release. This was a tragic experience and I want to
acknowledge the cooperation of all the parties involved to
ensure that people affected receive timely restitution.
The class actions were launched on behalf of persons that
consumed or purchased for consumption products that
were subject to the recall in August 2008 due to possible
contamination from listeria monocytogenes. The settlement
amount will be $25 million, increasing by up to $2 million
to the extent that claims and costs may exceed $25 million.
The compensation paid from the settlement amount will be
administered by the class counsel under the supervision of the
court. Maple Leaf Foods and class counsel are of the opinion
that the settlement of the class actions is fair, reasonable and
in the best interests of the class. The agreement is subject to
court approval. The settlement amount is fully funded by
Maple Leaf Foods liability insurers.
Statement on investigation
On Jan. 20, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed
Sheila Weatherill a former Edmonton health authority
president, as an independent investigator into the
outbreak.
We are pleased that the federal government's arms-
length investigation is moving ahead and look forward to
both cooperating fully with this investigation and sharing
our key learnings from this past fall, McCain said in a
written statement. We are condent that the joint efforts
by government and industry, and the consistent application
of high standards, will further enhance the Canadian food
safety system and the integrity of our food.
The inquiry will include a review of meat handling
regulations in other countries, along with the efciency of
the Canada Food Inspection Agency. The investigation has
scheduled report date of July 20.
-staff
M
Listeriosis suits settled for over $25 million.
Maple Leaf Reaches Settlement Agreement
Maple Leaf Closes $70M Private Placement
Maple Leaf Foods has closed its previously announced
nancing to issue, on a private placement basis, 7,368,421 units
at a price of $9.50 per unit for aggregate proceeds of $70 million.
The net proceeds after issuance costs will be used for general
corporate purposes.
We believe this nancing provides Maple Leaf Foods with
the exibility to support our strategic initiatives and rebuild our
business through these difcult credit markets, the companys
chief nancial ofcer Michael Vels said in a release. At the same
time, the structure provides the company with the exibility of
reducing dilution to existing shareholders by providing us the
option not to issue equity. The transaction also reects the strong
support of our major shareholders and other new investors.
Each unit will consist of one subscription receipt for Maple
Leaf Foods common shares and 0.4 common share purchase
warrants. Each subscription receipt will entitle the holder to
receive one common share of the company on Aug. 4, 2009
or, at the election of the company, the return in cash of all the
unit proceeds, being $9.50 per unit. Each whole common share
purchase warrant is exercisable into one common share of the
company until Dec. 16, 2010 at a price of $9.50.
TOPIGS Canada Purchases Swine Genetics
Operations of Maple Leaf
TOPIGS Canada Inc. recently purchased the swine genetics
business operations and assets from Maple Leaf Agri-Farms
(MLAF), an operating company of Maple Leaf Foods.
Under the terms of the sale agreement, TOPIGS Canada
acquired MLAFs genetics business, including the assets of
Lean Team International, a marketing arm of the genetics
business, along with a nucleus farm located in Manitoba. The
two companies have also formalized an agreement where
TOPIGS Canada will supply genetics to MLAF hog production
operations.
TOPIGS is a world leader in pig genetics and with its
subsidiaries, agents and distributors active in more than 30
countries. The companys turnover is more than one million gilts
per year and over six million doses of semen. TOPIGS is part of
Pigture Group and headquartered in Vught, the Netherlands.
The company exports worldwide from its High Health SPF
Nucleus farms in Saskatchewan.
New Board Structure for Pork Council
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC)
announced it has implemented a
new board structure, moved to a new
ofce and unveiled a new corporate
logo.
This announcement represents a
fresh perspective and an enhanced
commitment to the Canadian
swine industry, CPC president
Jurgen Preugchas said in a release. Many exciting changes
are underway at the CPC and I know the results will further
strengthen and support the Canadian swine industry as one
of Canadas most successful and dynamic agri-food sectors.
The new board structure starts operating this month. Under
this new structure the work of the CPC will be directed by
an 11-member board that will meet more frequently than its
previous board, which had 18 members.
We are excited about the revitalization that is taking
place at the CPC and know that the changes will provide a
more collaborative working environment for our members,
executive director Martin Rice added. We see the new board
structure and corporate identity as a positive and necessary
step for the council's growth.
The new CPC ofce is located on Laurier Avenue in
downtown Ottawa. The council said all of its phone numbers
and e-mail addresses will remain unchanged.
NAMP Announces New Poultry Science Advisor
The North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP)
has announced the addition of a new science advisor, Dr.
Manpreet Singh.
Singh is an assistant professor of food microbiology in the
Poultry Science Department at Auburn University in Auburn,
Alabama.
Adding Dr. Singh as an additional resource for members is
part our strategy to enhance NAMP services to all segments of
the processing industry, NAMP executive director Phil Kimball
said in a release.
Singh obtained a masters degree from Kansas State University
and doctorate from Iowa State University in the area of food
safety and microbiology. He started his current position in
January 2007 at Auburn University and assists meat and poultry
processors on food safety, regulatory and microbial spoilage
issues. He is involved in training poultry processors and
| Industr y Roundup |
validation of HACCP plans for the poultry industry.
His research focuses on the safety of meat and poultry products
including control of foodborne pathogens in food processing
environments. He has conducted research on controlling E. coli
O157:H7 in raw ground beef, stressed pathogens, and listeria
monocytogenes in processed meat and poultry products.
Currently he is involved in several projects focused on
controlling foodborne pathogens such as salmonella, spores of
bacillus, and clostridium in poultry processing environments.
Singh complements the two other NAMP science advisors: Dr.
Jim Marsden, a meat science professor at Kansas State University,
and Dr. H. Reddi Thippareddi, of the University of Nebraska.
FDA Issues Guidelines for GE Meat
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 15 issued
its nal regulations governing the approval of genetically
engineered (GE) animals.
GE generally refers to the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA)
techniques to introduce new characteristics or traits into an
organism. When scientists splice together pieces of DNA and
introduce a spliced DNA segment into an organism to give the
organism new properties, it is called rDNA technology. The
spliced piece of DNA is called the rDNA construct.
A GE animal is one that contains an rDNA construct intended
to give the animal new characteristics or traits. GE animals are
not the same as clones, which are exact genetic copies. Last year
the FDA said cloned animals are safe to eat.
The guidance titled The Regulation of Genetically
Engineered Animals Containing Heritable rDNA Constructs
can be found on the FDA website.
In this document, the agency has articulated a scientically
robust interpretation of statutory requirements, deputy
commissioner for policy Randall Lutter said in a release. This
guidance will help the FDA efciently review applications for
products from GE animals to ensure their safety and efcacy.
The FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has been
working with developers of GE animals on both early stage and
more mature applications.
At this time, it is our intent to hold public scientic advisory
committee meetings prior to making decisions on GE animal-
related applications, CVM director Bernadette Dunham,
D.V.M., Ph.D., director of CVM.
Some consumer groups oppose the FDAs ruling that no
labelling of food from these animals will be required.
Despite thousands of comments from consumers saying they
want to know if engineered meat or sh is in their supermarket,
FDA claims these foods are not different from conventional
food, and therefore don't need to be labelled, Jean Halloran,
Director of Food Policy Initiatives for the non-prot group
Consumers Union, stated in a release. This ies in the face of
consumer opinion and common sense. These foods should be
labeled because they are different in FDAs terms the presence
of novel genes is a material fact.
Canada currently has no guidelines on GE animals, although
it is expected the government will eventually follow the
FDAs lead.
Promotions and Additions at AMI
The American Meat Institute (AMI) recently announced a
number of staff changes, including to the institute, including
to its non-prot research and education organization, the AMI
Foundation.
Dr. Betsy Booren was named director of scientic affairs
for the AMI Foundation. Booren recently completed her
Ph.D. in food science from Texas A&M University (TAMU).
At TAMU, Booren taught courses on nutrition, food science
and advanced meat science, oversaw laboratory facilities and
assisted with extension programs. Booren received her masters
degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska
and her bachelors degree in food science from Michigan
State University.
Also in the AMI Foundation, adjunct animal sciences professor
at the University of Wisconsin and former Kraft Foods fellow
Dr. Andrew Milkowski, has been retained to provide technical
services for the Institute. Milkowski will focus on diet and
health issues.
Boreen and Milkowski will report to AMI executive vice
president James Hodges, who was named interim president
of the AMI Foundation following the departure of Randall
Huffman, who recently joined Maple Leaf Foods as its chief
food safety ofcer.
Elsewhere, AMI director of legislative affairs Dale Nellor will
become vice president of legislative affairs. He joined AMI in
February 2006. In addition, Matthew Mika was named director
of legislative affairs.
In the convention services department, Heather Schoch was
promoted to director of convention and exposition services.
Prior to joining AMI in 2007, Schoch managed conferences
and trade shows at the Optical Society of America in their
conventions and meetings department.
| Industr y Roundup |
events calendar
Thefoodnewz is an on line events calendar created by Debra Bradshaw of Zep Food
& Beverage Division. To nd out more about the events listed in this magazine visit
thefoodnewz.com. If you know of events not listed please email Debra directly at
zeprep@rogers.com.
February 2009
10 to 12
Agri-Food Innovation Forum
Toronto, Ont.
agrifoodforum.com
17 to 19
NAMP Centre of the Plate Training Plus
Guelph, Ont.
namp.com
20 to 22
OIMP 29th Annual Conference / 2009 Meat
& Food Processing Expo
Mississauga, Ont.
oimp.ca
25 to 26
Ontario Cattlemens Association Annual
General Meeting
Toronto, Ont.
cattle.guelph.on.ca
27 to 28
The BC Food Service Expo 2008
BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, B.C.
crfa.ca/tradeshows/bcfse
March 2009
8 to 10
CRFA Show
Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, Ont.
crfa.ca/tradeshows/crfashow
10 to 13
3rd Annual Growing the Margins: Energy,
Bioproducts and Byproducts from Farm and
Food Sectors Conference and Exhibition /
1st Annual Canadian Farm and Food Biogas
Conference and Exhibition
gtmconference.ca
23
Chicken Farmers of Ontario Annual General
Meeting
cfo.on.ca
27 to 29
NAMP Annual Management Conference
The Drake Hotel, Chicago, Illinois
namp.com
April 2009
1 to 3
SIAL Montreal The North American Food
Marketplace
Montreal, Que.
sialmontreal.com
5 to 7
APEX
Exhibition Park, Halifax, N.S.
crfa.ca/tradeshows/apex
egistration is open for the North
American Meat Processors
Associations (NAMP) 52nd
Management Conference.
The theme of this years event which takes
place March 27 to 29 at the Drake Hotel in
downtown Chicago is Embracing Change:
lead, follow, or get out of the way!
The program also offers an optional E. coli
O157:H7 mini-conference on Thursday, March
26 featuring a discussion on how to prepare for
a food safety assessment with Dr. Kerri Harris,
associate professor of meat science at Texas
A&M University; and a look at exploring intervention options
with Dr. James Marsden, NAMPs senior science advisor.
This years management conference offers 16 separate forums
in one or more of ve professional development tracks, including
one on Canadian food safety compliance with Dr. Richard
Arsenault of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Other highlights of the event include:
A new nance professional development track
A live cutting demonstration forum that follows up on a
general session on value cuts
Condential advice from leading authorities in NAMPs
College of Experts
Networking at the Showcase Reception, now on Friday
evening
Phil Clemens, chairman and CEO of Hateld Quality Meats,
is the keynote speaker for the event. Other
presenters include:
Ron Krivosik of Levy Restaurants, Sports
& Entertainment and Larry Huber of the
Clean Plate Restaurant Group on what you
and your customers should know about
each others businesses
Scott Lively of Dakota Beef Company
and NAMP past president Jon Rocke of
the Smitheld RMH Food Group on
positioning your products for big box sales
John Nalivka of Sterling Marketing on the
outlook for the red meat industry the
challenge to processors
Dr. Chris Calkins, Rick Morris of Buckhead Beef Atlanta, Bill
Christenson of Ed Miniat, Inc., and John Stowell of Dole &
Bailey on Value Cuts, plus a cutting demonstration by NCBA
Dan Wang of Chicago Meat Authority and Mark Nickel of RSM
McGladrey on how to engage your nance department in
your operations, and measuring your customer protability
Bank of America on surviving the credit crunch
All conference activities take place at The Drake Hotel, a
Chicago landmark that has been a symbol of white glove elegance
for more than 80 years.
For more information or to register for the conference,
visit namp.com.
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R
NAMP unveils program for 52nd Management Conference.
Embracing Change
| Cross Countr y News |
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Avian Inuenza in Fraser Valley Turkey Farm
Several poultry farms in B.C.s Fraser Valley were placed under
quarantine as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on
Jan. 26 conrmed an outbreak of H5 avian inuenza (AI) on a
turkey farm in the area.
At press time 23 farms within a three-kilometer radius of E&H
Farms in Abbottsford, where the virus was found, were under
quarantine and over 60,000 turkeys were set to be culled.
According to the CFIA, AI rarely affects humans, unless they
have had close contact with infected birds.
The birds are being euthanized with carbon dioxide gas, the
CFIA stated in a release. Federal and provincial animal welfare
experts are on hand to oversee this process.
Once the depopulation is complete, the birds will be
composted inside the barn and temperatures monitored to
ensure virus destruction. Seven to 10 days following composting,
the composted material will be moved outside for normal
composting on farm. These protocols respect provincial
environmental regulations and internationally accepted disease
control and biocontainment guidelines.
The CFIA said it will provide compensation to producers
for the market value of all birds ordered destroyed through
this investigation, as well as any costs the producer may incur
associated with disposal. Assistance is also available through other
federal and provincial programs, the agency said.
This is not the rst occurrence of AI in the province. In February
2004, the CFIA identied the presence of a low pathogenic H7
AI in the Fraser Valley. Subsequent tests from infected birds
revealed the virus had mutated to highly pathogenic H7 AI in
March 2004.
The CFIA depopulated all infected premises (42 commercial
and 11 backyard premises) as well as destroyed all birds in the
surrounding three-kilometre areas.
In November 2005, the CFIA identied the presence of a low
pathogenic strain of H5N2 on two duck farms in the Fraser Valley.
The two duck farms were depopulated and the 78 commercial
bird farms within a ve-kilometre radius were monitored
for a three-week period. The surveillance period ended on
Dec.10, 2005.
Funding, New Research Chair to Support
Cattle Industry
Ida Chong, B.C.s technology, trade and economic development
minister announced a new cattle industry chair at Thompson
Rivers University (TRU) that will help B.C. cattle ranchers
improve protability, protect grasslands and endangered species,
and reduce greenhouse gases.
John Church, who has a PhD in rangeland and wildlife
resources, was appointed B.C. regional innovation chair in cattle
industry sustainability. His job will be to develop new techniques
and technologies to help make the provinces cattle industry
sustainable both economically and environmentally.
This $250-million industry is vital to B.C.s rural economy,
Chong said in a release. By funding this chair, government
and industry have partnered with TRU to support ranchers
with innovations that will beef up prots while caring for our
provinces sensitive grassland areas and helping to ght climate
change.
ALBERTA
ABP Welcomes New Executive
Rick Burton of Claresholm was named the new chairman
of the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) at the groups annual
general meeting in December. Burton takes over for Erik
Butters, who moves into the past-Chairman position after two
terms.
The AGM was held in Calgary Dec. 8 to 10 and included
speakers, resolution debates and elections.
Also elected were Kevin Boon of Tomahawk as vice chairman
and Doug Sawyer of Pine Lake as nance chair.
The 2008/2009 ABP Board of Directors includes: Gerald
Maser (Manyberries), Brent Carey (Stavely), Brian Edge
(Cochrane), Frank Murphy (Altario), Doug Sawyer (Pine
Lake), Greg Bowie (Ponoka), Rob Sommerville (Endiang),
Roy Eckert (New Sarepta), Darcy Eddleston (McLaughlin),
Darryl Carlson (Pincher Creek), Brian Chomlak (Beauvallon),
Larry Delvin (Calgary), Kevin Boon (Tomahawk), Ben
Schrader (Jarvie), Janys Boyte (Elmworth), Chuck MacLean
(Medicine Hat), Stuart Thiessen (Strathmore) and Erik
Butters (Cochrane).
Church will lead a multidisciplinary research team at TRU,
working closely with industry through a steering committee.
He is particularly interested in developing feeding strategies to
increase health-giving omega 3 oils in beef, and to reduce the
amount of methane a greenhouse gas up to 20 times more
potent than carbon dioxide produced by cattle.
Sustainable cattle ranching involves grazing practices that
uphold the ecological integrity of the grasslands on which
these operations depend, said Church. The cattle industry
and the land will continue to ourish for future generations
only through encouraging stewardship activities, information
exchanges and partnerships that support the ranching practices
that are so economically and socially important for Kamloops and
our province.
The province provided $1.25 million for the chair was provided
through its Leading Edge Endowment Fund. Matching funding
includes $625,000 from the Cattle Industry Development Council
and $250,000 from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.
B.C. Ag Minister Dies
British Columbias minister of agriculture Stan Hagen died
suddenly of a heart attack on Jan. 20. He was 68.
When Stan took over as British Columbias agriculture
minister, he brought a common-sense approach to our work
with other provincial agriculture ministers as we built Canadas
national agricultural policy, federal agriculture minister Gerry
Ritz said in a statement. I know his provincial colleagues would
agree that Stan had an impact on every successful policy and
initiative coming out of those meetings. All of us considered
Stan a friend.
B.C. premier Gordon Campbell said in a statement that Hagen
loved British Columbia and that the province has suffered a
great loss.
Stan served as minister of 10 different ministries in
governments from 1986 to 2009. No one in Canadian public life
can match that, Campbell stated.
| Cross Countr y News |
ONTARIO
Ontario Pork Temporarily Reduces Service Fee
Ontario Porks Board approved an interim budget for 2009
that will reduce service levy fees for producers from $1.75 to
$1.65 per hog. The new fee became effective Jan. 5.
According to a release from the agency, the new fee will be a
temporary rst quarter measure, pending the new marketing
MANITOBA
IBM and Province Build Digital Passport
System for Food
IBM and the Province of Manitoba have successfully tested
a new system which makes it possible to digitally trace the
journey food takes before it ends up in consumers shopping
carts. Through the project, Manitoba has taken the rst step
in implementing a provincial traceability program.
The project tracked data about product movement,
animal history and characteristics, processing history and
transportation data throughout the complete value chain.
IBM provided business consulting and project management
services, working with the province and more than 16 supply
chain partners, including beef and pork producers, animal
feed ingredient producers, feed manufacturers, farmers,
processing plants, truckers and a retail grocery chain.
Using Global Traceability Network (GTNet) software from
IBM business partner TraceTracker, Manitobas project
demonstrated it is possible to securely and accurately gather
and crunch data about a piece of meat from a variety of sources
and share that information, at any step in the process. As a
web platform, the GTNet allows trading partners to exchange
critical product information so they can communicate key
messages to customers and consumers.
Ultimately, the system also can be used to provide messaging
that will help re-establish and reinforce consumers condence
in the food products theyre buying. In fact, IBM surveyed
more than 1,600 consumers in 2007 and found nearly 70 per
cent expressed a low overall level of trust in the claims branded
food products make about their environmental impact and
health benets. Almost half of consumers were concerned
about safety, and nearly two out of every ve said they buy
different brands today because of these concerns.
MCPA Names New President
The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association has named Joe
Bouchard as its new president, according to a report from
Farm Business Communications.
Bouchard, who farms in the provinces Interlake region,
replaces Martin Unrau.
According to the report, the MCPA also announced the
following positions:
Ray Armbruster of Rossburn was named as vice-president
Major Jay Fox of Eddystone as second vice-president
Art Jonasson of Vogar as treasurer
Greg Johnson of Baldur as secretary
QUEBEC
New Ofce for Malabar Super Spice
Malabar Super Spice Co. Ltd., Canadian supplier of spices
and seasonings, functional ingredients, sausage casings and
supplies to the meat and poultry sectors has opened a new
ofce in Quebec.
Based in Montreal, the ofce will serve processors across the
province and will be headed up by Eric Barou, who has over
ve years experience in the spice and ingredient industry in the
region, according to the company.
Malabar Super Spice is proud to have Eric joining our team
and we are looking forward to providing processors across
Quebec with the same top quality products and excellent service
that were known for in the rest of Canada, the companys
president Doris Valade said in a release.
environment resulting from the Farm Products Marketing
Commissions (FPMC) decision made last October to remove
Ontario Porks marketing monopoly. A new forecast budget
will be created for the remainder of the year to include the
separation of universal services and marketing fees.
The completed marketing implementation plan is due to the
FPMC by March 1.
Ontario Pork represents the 2,900 farmers who market
hogs in the province in many areas, including hog marketing,
research, government representation, environmental issues,
consumer education and food quality assurance.
he Ontario Independent Meat
Processors (OIMP) Annual
Conference and 2009 Meat
and Food Processing Expo will take
place Feb. 20 to 22 in Mississauga,
Ont.
(The) Friday night Meet the
Members reception, is a great
opportunity for new members, rst
time attendees, exhibitors, sponsors,
and old friends to mix and mingle.
There is no other event where fellow
meat plant operators can gather
to share the breadth of knowledge
contained within Ontarios meat
industry, OIMP president Tony
Facciolo said in a statement to
members in the associations recent
BLOCKtalk newsletter.
The 2009 Meat and Food Processing
Expo takes place February 20 and 21
at the International Centre and is the
only show of its kind in Canada, the
event provides one location to showcase
innovations, connections and solutions
to the processors and suppliers of the
meat and food processing industry.
This event is a must see for people in
the industry, with over 100 exhibitors
showcasing their products and services
to delegates within Ontario, across
Canada and Internationally.
The trade show takes place starting
at 10:00 a.m. on the 20 and 21 and
will feature over 100 exhibitors
showcasing their innovative products,
new technologies, equipment and
services to Ontarios 3,000+ meat and
food processing companies.
Included will be the latest in:
Analyzing
Building Design Engineer
Casings
Clothing
Computer Hardware/Software
Food Safety/HACCP
Ingredients
Insurance
Labelling
Laboratory Services
Material Handling
Packaging
Pest Control
Processing Machinery
Safety
Sanitation
Seasonings
Walls, Doors Ceilings and Floors
Water Treatment
Held in conjunction with the
conference is the popular Ontario
Finest Meat Competition. Processors
from across the province will submit a
premium meat or poultry product for
a chance to be crowned in one of the
following 12 categories.
Ham
Premium Dry Cured
Country Style Bacon
Fresh Sausage Coiled
Cooked and/or Smoked Sausage
Cold Cuts
Innovative Product
Deli Roasts
Home Meal Replacement
Fermented Sausage
Homegrown Ontario Beef Steak
Entries will be evaluated by a panel
of food industry professionals and
media on Thursday, Jan. 22. The top
three entries from each category will
be announced at the OIMP Awards
Gala on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The twelve rst place winners will
have their product featured in a recipe
developed by chef Nicole Young
which will then be professionally
photographed and distributed to
media. The top entries will also appear
in the 2010 OIMP 30th Anniversary
Calendar.
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T
Conference and expo hits Mississauga in February.
OIMPs Annual Meating Place
P
h
o
t
o
:

O
I
M
P
PACKEX Toronto 2009, Canadas
Packaging, Material Handling
and Logistics formerly PACex
International takes place May 5 to 7 at
the International Centre in Mississauga.
PACKEX Toronto also welcomes IPA
Canada, the National Food Process
Exhibition. Together the two co-located
events will welcome approximately 500
exhibitors and over 8,000 attendees.
IPA Canada the show within
the show will focus on the newest
developments in processing technology
and provide unparalleled access to
solutions designed to meet the modern
challenges faced by the industry's
food and beverage manufacturers.
Exhibitors will demonstrate
equipment, products and service
solutions in the bakery, beverage,
confectionery, dairy, fruit and vegetable,
ingredients and avours, meat,
prepared and snack food industries.
Also, for the rst time ever PACKEX
Toronto partners with Equipnet to
present a live auction on the show oor.
Attendees in the exhibit hall will be
joined by bidders across the globe via a
simultaneous webcast event. Attendees
will have a great opportunity to buy
refurbished equipment, trade-ins and
machinery right from the trade show.
To register for PACKEX Toronto/
IPA Canada, visit packextoronto.com.
- staff
Countdown to PACKEX Toronto 2009
Conference and expo hits Mississauga in February.
n indispensable resource for
any meat industry professional
is the Meat Buyers Guide from
the North American Meat Processors
Association (NAMP).
Not to be confused with the Canadian
Meat Business annual Buyers Guide
also a valuable resource tool for industry
professionals NAMPs Meat Buyers
Guide is a 336-page educational guide and
technical resource that would be benecial
to any purchaser of meat products
worldwide. With easy-to-read charts,
diagrams and countless photos, the guide
covers all cuts of beef, lamb, veal, pork and
poultry.
Foodservice organizations have
long considered the guide to be the
premier publication for education and
information on the subject of meat cuts.
Government, culinary schools, foodservice
establishments and their employees,
industry food organizations and others
wishing to gain knowledge about meat rely
on the publication. If theres anything you
need to know about a certain cut of meat,
youre guaranteed to nd it in the guide.
First published in 1961, the Meat Buyers
Guide has been revised several times, most
recently in 2007. The latest version offers
more than 60 new photographs, several
new descriptions of cuts and processing
options, and updated coverage of food
safety. For the rst time the guide also
features the Poultry Buyers Guide, which
premiered in 1999 and was previously
available separately from the association.
NAMP is a non-prot trade association
comprised of meat processing companies
and associates who share a continuing
commitment to provide their customers
with reliable and consistent high-quality
meat, poultry, seafood, game and other
food products.
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A
NAMP Guide a Must-Have
for Meat Buyers
anadian government officials
and meat industry association
leaders said the provisions
in the final regulations for the U.S.
governments mandatory country-of-
origin labelling (COOL) rule published
Jan. 12 will help to level the playing
field for Canadian producers and
will strengthen the integrated North
American livestock industry.
I am pleased that key issues raised by
Canada are addressed in these measures,
Stockwell Day, minister of international
trade, said in a release. Together with the provinces
and industry, we will continue to assess the trade and
market impact of this legislation. We have built a strong
and durable trade relationship over the years with the
United States and we must more than ever aggressively
pursue this already robust relationship during these
difficult economic times.
This government always stands up for Canadian
livestock producers and that hard work is paying off as
we protect and expand opportunities for our producers
within the integrated North American beef industry,
added agriculture minister Gerry Ritz. These final
regulations will help to address the concerns weve
C
Government, industry associations pleased with provisions to U.S. mandatory labelling rule.
Final Rule on COOL
consistently raised with our American
counterparts, and we will continue to
work with the U.S. to prevent any unfair
harm to our industry.
The day after the final rule was
published the Government of Canada
suspended its complaint with the World
Trade Organization over COOL.
We will shelve our concern at this
point but we will continue to assess the
impact of COOL as it moves along, Ritz
told reporters on a conference call.
Brad Wildeman, president of the
Canadian Cattlemens Association (CCA) said in a
release that he is hopeful the changes will allow greater
flexibility, but noted the CCA is still opposed to the
mandatory COOL initiative.
At first glance of the 260-page rule, we are pleased
to see that it provides the same flexibility for use of
a mixed origin label on beef (or pork) derived from
animals imported direct-for-slaughter, as now exists
for use with a mixed origin label on products derived
from United States (U.S.) origin animals, Wildeman
stated.
This should provide U.S. buyers of Canadian
cattle (and pigs) greater flexibility in managing their
inventories, he continued. We hope this approach
enables U.S. facilities to resume accepting Canadian
cattle for immediate slaughter along with Canadian-
born cattle fed in the U.S. We also hope that this
flexibility eliminates, or at least reduces, price discounts
by U.S. packers for Canadian cattle.
Wildeman noted the CCA will closely monitor the
impact of COOL on the Canadian beef cattle industry.
Similar to the CCA response, Jurgen Preugchas,
president of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), stated
the council still considers COOL a barrier to trade.
Publication of the final rule may alleviate some of
the market uncertainty that currently disrupts our
U.S.-Canada trade relationship, he said in a release.
However, we will continue to assess the impact of
the COOL on Canadian producers and will need an
evaluation period to determine the impact of these
changes in the marketplace.
The U.S. and Canada are each others largest
agricultural trading partners. In 2007, bilateral
agricultural trade totalled $32.3 billion, a statement
from the federal government said.
- staff
we must more than ever aggressively
pursue this already robust relationship
during these difficult economic times.
Stockwell Day, Canadas international trade minister
| Business Spotlight |
Weighing Products & Systems
Major Manufacturer of a Full Range of Industrial Scales
Built to withstand heavy wash-down & harsh chemicals
Mention this Ad and get 5% additional discount off any product
Tel: 800-561-9461 or 514-695-0380
E-mail: sales@weigh-tronix.ca Web site: www.weigh-tronix.ca
TF. 1.800.344.7055 ext.1 I P. 204.985.9516
wecommunications.ca
We can help you develop a range
of quality materials that will make
your brand and your message
stand out above the rest.
We have the answer! COMMUNICATIONS WEST INC.
| Product Showcase |
1-800-465-3536
ALBERTA:
1-888-678-9378
201 DON PARK ROAD, UNIT 1, MARKHAM, ONTARIO L3R 1C2
Phone: 905-470-1136 Fax: 905-470-8417
E-mail: SALES@YESGROUP.CA
MAINCA MG-90 HYBRID N
ew
All in one machine
Two loading positions
Bowl capacity 90 liters
(up to 60 Kg./132 Lbs.)
Mincing head
(Enterprise 32/Unger 98)
Single or three phase
motors
BEACON, Inc.
100 S. Mannheim Road, Hillside, IL 60162
Phone (708) 544-9900 Fax (708) 544-9999
beaconmetals.com
Let Beacon customize
one of our standard Truck
designs for your processing
requirements. Our experts
have 80 years of experience
in engineering the right
Truck for the right job.
Whether it is a Nesting,
Bacon, Sausage or Ham
Rack, we will design the
unit for your needs. We
do not over design and
add cost or under design
and give our customers a
Truck that will not perform.
STAINLESS STEEL TRUCKS / RACKS
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TF. 1.800.344.7055 ext.1 I P. 204.985.9516
wecommunications.ca
Graphic Design I Marketing I Publishing
Writing/ Editing Services I Public/ Media Relations
We Communications West Inc. is a successful and
innovative creative design agency and
publishing company.
Are you looking for effective and creative ways to
communicate with your clients or market your
products and services?
We can help you develop a range of quality materials
that will make your brand and your message
stand out above the rest.
We have the answer!
COMMUNICATIONS WEST INC.
1-800-465-3536
ALBERTA:
1-888-678-9378
201 DON PARK ROAD, UNIT 1, MARKHAM, ONTARIO L3R 1C2
Phone: 905-470-1136 Fax: 905-470-8417
E-mail: SALES@YESGROUP.CA
Featuring an Exhibitor Trade Show and Value
added Seminar with Experts from our Industry.
Call Melody Pashko at 403-201-3657 ext.21
for more detail.
Invitation to:
Alberta Food Processors Association
2009
Meat Industry Convention
Calgary, March 6-8, 2009
Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary - Booth 1, 2, 3
| Meat Industr y Business Watch |
here are many critical success
factors for start-up and mature
rms. The signicance of each
success factor varies across industries
and changes over the lifetime of the
rm. However, there is a critical success
factor that transcends industrial and life
cycle boundaries and remains constant
over time. It is innovation.
Innovation is critical to the sustained
success of every business. It is the
ability to understand and respond to
market needs. It is also the ability to
anticipate and capitalize on future
trends and changes within the political,
economic, social, technological,
environmental and legal sphere of a
companys target market. Innovation
in itself is a competitive advantage
as every technology and process gets
old. If cash ow is the heartbeat of a
company, innovation is its immune
system. Companies such as Procter
and Gamble, Apple and RIM have
anticipated changes in their respective
industries. They responded with
innovative products that have set them
apart from their competitors.
Often, companies grow to forget
the origins of their success. They
forget that they had to do things
differently and continuously better
than their competition to be ahead
and accomplish what they have.
Clayton Christensen, a Harvard
professor, coined the term disruptive
innovation in his book, Innovators
Dilemma. He described disruptive
innovation as a technology, service,
or product that utilizes a disruptive
strategy to challenge and compete
against the dominant status-quo of an
industry. Disruptive innovation creates
an innovators dilemma for industry
leaders whose successful processes,
technology, service, and products make
it difcult for them to foresee and react
to future changes.
Ontarios Ministry of Research and
Innovation encourages the creation
of disruptive technologies through
centralized commercialization
networks. The goal is to stimulate
innovation and inventions in Canada
to create Canadian companies
that are competitive globally.
Commercialization networks such as
RIC Centre (Research, Innovation,
Commercialization Center), Ontario
Center for Environmental Technology
Advancement (OCETA) and MaRS
focus on assisting entrepreneurs in
different industrial sectors at various
stages of their venture to help bring
their inventions and innovations to
market. They provide entrepreneurial
training and mentorship programs,
and assistance with developing business
plans.
RIC Centre is a non-prot
organization that provides business and
technical services to small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) to commercialize
their innovation. The organization is a
door to opportunity for entrepreneurs
and researchers in Peel Region. Its goal
is to enable you access to the Ontario
Commercialization Network and help
uncover the best channel to market
your innovation. RIC Centre focuses
on assisting entrepreneurs in the
advanced manufacturing, aerospace
and life science sectors.
OCETA is a private, not-for-
prot corporation that supports
the commercialization and market
acceptance of innovative technologies
and environmentally sustainable
solutions through stakeholder
consultation and the provision of
business and technical services.
Together the two groups are currently
hosting the Growing Your Business
Breakfast Series 10 consecutive monthly
breakfast events to help entrepreneurs
fast track commercialization. For more
information on the series, visit ric-
centre.on.ca.
Increased competition and
globalization has forced companies
to partner with suppliers, distributors
and different business sectors. The
leveraging of competitive resources
creates synergy. Synergy is a term that
describes the exponential benet
that results from the combination of
resources. Its underlying ideology is
based on the old clich two heads
are better than one. With constant
innovation and strategic partnership,
a company can secure the future of its
business operations.
To be competitive, a company
must constantly be innovative in its
products and services and develop
strategic partnerships with other
rms to maximize its strengths and
minimize its weakness. Businesses
should make adequate use of the
vast resources available to them.
The commercialization networks are
excellent resources for entrepreneurs
that seek assistance with the
commercialization of their innovative
inventions. Innovation and strategic
partnership is a critical ingredient in
the recipe for success in business.
T
Key elements give companies sustainable competitive advantage.
Innovating
and Partnering
Increased competition
and globalization has
forced companies to
partner with suppliers,
distributors and
different business
sectors.
By James Sbrolla
James Sbrolla is a Toronto-
based management consultant
and can be reached at
416.234.5120
or sbrolla@rogers.com.

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