The extension of the cap on user fees charged to Canada producers exporting live feeder swine to the United States will allow CFIA and the industry to continue its efforts to modernize the user fee structure.

"Today’s announcement by the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz will be well received by weanling and feeder pig producers that deliver a healthy and quality product to a competitive market in the United States and around the world," stated Jurgen Preugschas, President of the Canadian Pork Council (CPC).

As part of the industry’s ongoing efforts to remain competitive in the global market, CFIA’s fees were identified as needing to be competitive with other jurisdictions, technological advances and reflective of the true cost of offering the service to producers.

Without this extension, the cost to Canadian producers would return to an outdated fee structure that would range between $300-$375 depending on the number of animals being transported per load. In 2010, almost four million feeder swine weighing under 50kg were exported to about 30 different US states.