Second vice chair Normand Martineau spoke on behalf of Canada's hog producers and outlined some of the sector's activities related to protecting the environment.

He further identified opportunities for government and industry to work together and noted how the tax on carbon is a concern for producers.

"Pork producers are dedicated to protecting the environment," he said. "Like all Canadians we care about safeguarding the nation's resources for future generations."

By adopting practices that have improved animal health, enhanced animal nutrition and decreased energy usage, we are now producing more pork with a much smaller environmental footprint.

Mr Martineau did stress, however, that Canada must take caution not to disadvantage producers.

"The introduction of a carbon-tax that places producers at a competitive disadvantage may simply result in a loss of local production and an increase in imports. This will not mitigate climate change," he said.

The CPC believes that government and industry can partner in a number of areas including developing practical improvements in Canadian hog barns that will lead to further efficiencies.

"High-performance facilities can improve animal performance, reduce environmental impact and decrease the impact of seasonal variability through uniting design, construction, control and monitoring," said Mr Martineau.

By working together, industry and government can help producers overcome the barriers that make it a challenge to implement these new technologies.