Olymel LP has pledged its support for a research program focused on swine welfare.
Olymel, which is based in Quebec and has a hog processing plant in Red Deer, announced this week that it will provide $15,000 annually to the National Chair in Swine Welfare.
“Olymel believes that because the research findings of the new National Chair in Swine Welfare are focussed on animal welfare regardless what production systems are in use, they should benefit all stakeholders in the Canadian hog industry — producers, veterinarians, processors and distributors,” said Réjean Nadeau, Olymel’s CEO.
The five-year program is an industry-wide initiative, with support from six provincial pork associations and four pork processors. It will involve a team of researchers focusing on swine welfare, and working with the University of Saskatchewan and the Prairie Swine Centre in Saskatoon.