Profile

Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council (CPEPC) is the national trade organization representing the interests of more than 170 Canadian poultry processing, egg grading and processing and hatchery establishments. Our trade organization also includes the Further Poultry Processors Association of Canada (FPPAC) and the Canadian Hatchery Federation (CHF).

Representing some of the largest agri‐food corporations in Canada, our member companies process over 90% of Canada's chicken, turkey, eggs and hatching eggs. This economic activity generates over $7 billion in retail sales. To accomplish this, our members have invested over $2.5 billion in plant and equipment, and directly employ more than 28,000 Canadian workers.

CPEPC members operate in industries that are supply managed in Canada. Chicken and turkey primary processors, egg graders and broiler hatcheries purchase their primary input – live chickens and turkeys, table eggs and broiler hatching eggs – from supply managed farmers in Canada. The majority of the input for poultry (chicken and turkey meat) and egg processors comes from within the supply managed supply chain.

These CPEPC members support the supply management system and are committed to building the long term competitiveness of the Canadian poultry industry. A foremost priority is to modernize the supply management system to ensure continued broad consumer support, mitigate processor risk and to better respond to market pressures and the competitive environment.

MAJOR ISSUES:

1. Labour Security

More than half of Canada’s poultry and meat processors cannot find enough people for available jobs, or experience chronic recruitment challenges.^†

2. Public Trust

a. Food Safety

Member companies work continuously to bring trusted products to market backed by strict national food safety standards and government oversight.
Proper handling and cooking of raw chicken products, including raw breaded products, ensures they are safe to eat.

b. Animal Welfare

Birds are raised, inspected and processed following strict codes of practice for animal care and handling.
Member companies utilize 3rd party audits in our hatcheries and processing plants.

c. Environmental Sustainability

Continued focus on efficiency in the Canadian chicken supply chain has reduced our environmental impact and made chicken more sustainable.

3. Trade Deals

Additional market access granted through trade deals (eg. CPTPP and CUSMA) not only affects farmers, it also affects processors due to reduced throughput.

4. Regulatory Stability

We work with Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure outcome based regulations are consistently applied.

^† Food Processing Skills Canada Labour Supply & Demand Report, 2018