While somewhat supportive of a federal plan to cull 150,000 Canadian hogs by the fall, the chair of the P.E.I. Hog Marketing Board holds little hope it will be enough help for farmers choosing to stay in the business.

'You still can't nearly afford to stay in this business.'— Anthony Nabuurs, P.E.I. Hog Marketing Board

The $50-million plan would eliminate 10 per cent of the Canadian herd. The industry has been hit hard by low prices and rising feed costs. Producers who accept federal compensation must agree not to restock for three years.

But it's still not enough, P.E.I. hog board chair Anthony Nabuurs told CBC News Monday.

"With all the programs we have in place, you still can't nearly afford to stay in this business. Since some of these programs were negotiated, things have just gotten a lot worse," said Nabuurs.

"Nobody knew that when they were done, but this thing is just in terrible shape, and these programs help a little, but they don't address the hurt that's out there in the hog industry."

Nabuurs said he doesn't think culling 10 per cent of Canada's hogs will increase the price to farmers that much, since the huge number of hogs in the U.S. is staying about the same.

The Canadian Pork Council says most of the meat from the cull will be used for pet food or disposed of, although some will go to food banks.

There are about 10,000 pork producers in Canada.