The Keystone Agricultural Producers and Manitoba Pork say the strike is of grave concern to the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector and are urging the federal government for immediate intervention.

The two groups saying we need to see back-to-work legislation to end the strike.

The ICLU and BCMEA had reached a tentative agreement, which was later voted down by the ILWU caucus which then issued a 72-hour strike notice for Saturday.

That was later rescinded but the industry remains on edge as to what will happen next.

KAP general manager Brenna Mahoney highlighted the urgency of the situation.

"The ongoing labor dispute is severely affecting our ability to get our agricultural products to global markets. We are already witnessing the negative consequences on our reputation as a reliable supplier. This is costing both farmers and our value-added processors. Jobs in every region of Manitoba will be impacted."

She adds we need to see a comprehensive recovery plan to ensure shipments of perishable food exports expedited once the current dispute is resolved.

Mahoney highlights the need for a recovery plan.

"We need comprehensive recovery plan to ensure shipments of perishable food exports expedited once the current dispute is resolved."

They point out that recovery from the first 13 days of the strike would have taken at least until the middle of October, a date that is now being pushed even further back.

Rene Roy,  Chairs of the Canada Pork Council says the BC Port strike has had a major impact on Canada's Pork sector with chilled pork destined for key Asian markets.

"Last week, Paul Beauchamp VP at Olymel mentioned that it was millions of dollars that were lost for their company. So if we extrapolate for all the Canadian pork industry, we could certainly believe that the cost  has been several million dollars."

He notes the strike doesn't help with the fluidity and reliability of our export market.

"When we are not able to sell our product and we have made a commitment it does not give ourself a good name for our partners in the trade. So it reduces our ability to sell and deliver good products to our export partners."

Manitoba exports over $730,000,000 worth of pork through west coast ports every year, shipments that are once again halted.

They note that disruptions in the supply chain, coupled with the recovery challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, are adding further financial strain on processors and farmers. 

Manitoba Pork general manager Cam Dahl says the shutdown of west coast ports is costing processors and farmers millions and is jeopardizing our relationships with international customers in the longer term. 

He says we urgently need federal intervention to end the current work stoppage and a long-term solution that will prevent this crisis from recurring.