This amount is in addition to the money that has been donated by Canada's pork packers and trading companies over the past few weeks.

"Our industry has many business and personal friendships with the people of Japan and we have all been touched by the scale of this enormous tragedy,"stated Canadian Pork Council's President, Jurgen Preugschas.

"Canadian pork producers from coast to coast have been deeply saddened by recent events and want to support the relief efforts."

The Japanese Red Cross is best situated to direct the funds to the people who need it most in areas that continue to be affected by the repercussions of the natural disaster that hit the country on March 11. The Red Cross' local staff will ensure the support can be effectively directed to assist the estimated 100,000 people that remain in temporary shelters across Japan.

"The Canadian pork industry has a strong relationship with the people of Japan and we want to strategically assist our friends over the next few months to recover from the events caused by the earthquake," added Canada Pork International's President, Edouard Asnong.