Alberta Pork is asking the provincial government to step in and help keep pork producers afloat.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) causes severe diarrhea and death in suckling pigs and milder diarrhea in older pigs, according to the Alberta Government.

Alberta Pork says the disease affects pigs but poses no risk to human health and has not caused any food safety concerns.

It seemed to me – and to others – that it was a needless shot at Alberta’s beef, pork, and poultry industries.

The increased access is expected to boost exports of pork products by $100 million over the next five years, and $125 million for beef producers over the same time frame.

Pinnacle, which employs 30 people, has been supplying finishing hogs to Olymel for more than four years.

Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier will spend two weeks in China and South Korea looking for trade opportunities in the two countries.