2014 will be remembered as a very good year for the Canadian pork industry.

Rick Bergmann, the chair of the Canadian Pork Council, says 2014 was highlighted by several key successes.

Rick Bergmann - Canadian Pork Council:

Our producers have had a very solid year of good economics and when this happens, this benefits not only grassroots producers but all the many businesses that depend on pork production here in Canada so that's been a very significant highlight.

Looking back as well, the trade agreements with Europe and South Korea and so on stand out as a definite definite highlight.

Another highlight would be witnessing how our producers have taken on the critical importance of health and biosecurity on their farms.

We've seen such a huge effort put forth and certainly would be a highlight for 2014 on the successes of their efforts in the biosecurity.

To build on the biosecurity and all the work that has been done to date, all provincial boards have agreed to fund the national animal health initiative and that's such a key success in 2014.

2014, a key success, the Canadian Pork Council now has a veterinarian on staff so it's very clear that the health file and the health focus has and will continue to get major attention for our producers here in Canada.

Mr Bergmann says major challenges for 2015 will include resolving the issue of Mandatory US Country of Origin Labelling, continuing the focus on animal health and addressing concerns over the lack of access to workers.