The sale of Hub Meat Packers and Larsen Packers to Maple Leaf Foods could help strengthen the competitiveness of Prince Edward Island's livestock industry and its access to international markets, says Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill. He was responding to an announcement made today by the three companies in Moncton.
"A strong processing capacity is of crucial importance to the livestock industry in this region," said Mr. Hammill. "As a government, we have actively promoted new value-added production which will help improve returns to producers, and I am hopeful this acquisition by Maple Leaf Foods will help achieve that goal."
Mr. Hammill said a strong meat processing capacity is important to Prince Edward Island because hog producers and the provincial government have made significant investments to increase production and quality. The minister also said that Hub Meat Packers is an important part of the Island's beef industry, and is a key partner in a new regional marketing initiative to produce a branded Maritime beef product. This initiative involves producers, packers, the three provincial agriculture departments and Co-Op Atlantic.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Maple Leaf, our partner in Garden Province Meats," said Rodney Dingwell, Chairman of the Prince Edward Island Hog Commodity Marketing Board. "They have a strong presence in processing and in international trade, and this new acquisition will hopefully strengthen their position and that we as partners in GPM will benefit from their continued success."
Mr. Hammill said he looks forward to discussions with officials of Maple Leaf Foods about their future plans and strategies, particularly as they relate to Garden Province Meats.