OTTAWA, Ontario – More than $100,000 will be donated by pork producers and exporters throughout Canada to the Canadian Red Cross Japan relief fund to support longer-term relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami. This money is in addition to the money already donated by Canada's pork packers and trading companies in recent 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," said Jurgen Preugschas, Canadian Pork Council president. "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’ local staff will ensure the support can be effectively directed to assist the estimated 100,000 people that remain in temporary shelters throughout 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," said Edouard Asnong, Canada Pork International president.

The Canadian Pork Council, which is a federation of nine provincial pork industry associations, serves as the national voice for hog producers in Canada. Canada Pork International, the export development agency of Canadian pork industry, is a joint venture of the Canadian Pork Council and the Canadian Meat Council.