Agriculture committee  Absolutely. This agency is a check-off agency on imported hogs and pork products. Roughly about 35% of the pork consumed in Canada is actually imported from other countries, predominantly the U.S. and the EU. This will be a check-off agency so that, when that product is imported, there would be a small check-off charge applying to that product.

Agriculture committee  I'll let Gary answer that question. You're getting into technical policies.

Agriculture committee  Absolutely. In our industry there is a phrase I like to use, which is that there are two types of environmentalists: environmental activists and active environmentalists. Hog producers are active environmentalists, not only because it's the right thing to do but also because it's absolutely necessary to compete globally.

Agriculture committee  We're constantly looking at all aspects of that, not only methane production. Another big one for us is to focus on phosphorous output, so reducing the amount of phosphorus in manure as well. We look at feedstocks. We look at genetics, different classifications of genetics of animals, anything that will improve the bottom line.

Agriculture committee  Absolutely. As I stated a bit in my testimony, Swine Innovation Porc and the research that's being done there is absolutely essential to us, and ensuring that we maintain the funding levels for that. That organization is currently funded on a 25:75 split between producers and government funding.

Agriculture committee  Swine Innovation Porc is basically the hub of all of our innovative research in the swine industry.

Agriculture committee  Yes, it is coordinated in Quebec City. Our focus going forward is on anything that's going to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of the industry. Feed efficiency, as I mentioned, is a really big one, because to us that's like low-hanging fruit. Fifty percent of the energy we use to produce pork goes into growing the crops we feed them, so if we can do a better job with that and utilize that better, that will have a huge impact for us.

Agriculture committee  It's the perfect question: what do I need? I love to answer that one. The progress we've made over the last several years has been substantial, and I would like to thank the federal government for that, because a lot of that wouldn't have been possible without the financial partnership we have with Swine Innovation Porc in Quebec City.

Agriculture committee  Good afternoon. My name is Hans Kristensen. I'm a hog and poultry producer from New Brunswick, and the 1st Vice-Chair of the Canadian Pork Council. I would first like to thank the members of this committee for the invitation to appear before you to discuss the study on climate change and water and soil conservation.