FOCUS Newsletter – May 2021
Reappointment at FPCC for Council member Maryse Dubé
On May 5, 2021, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced the reappointment of Maryse Dubé to the Farm Products Council of Canada for a four-year term, effective April 30, 2021.
Ms. Dubé was first appointed as Council member in 2015, and was later reappointed in 2018. Her experience in commercial, food, and corporate law, including manufacturing and agricultural components, has been an asset to the FPCC. This renewal will permit Ms. Dubé to continue work with the supply management and promotion research Agencies for some time to come.
For the official news release please click this link.
Council Decisions and FPCC Activities Update
As we continue to live through these exceptional times, the FPCC has adjusted the way we conduct our business, which includes holding our meetings more frequently. The letters of decisions resulting from these meetings are available on FPCC’s website through following this link.
Council Meeting of May 10 and 11, 2021
Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC)
Council members met virtually on May 10, 2021, and reviewed CFC’s proposed changes to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Quota Regulations for the A-170 allocation that runs from June 6, 2021, to July 31, 2021. Following a review of the rationale and data provided by the Agency, Council members approved the domestic allocation of 271,184,833 kg live weight, which would result in a production increase of 14.5% versus the same period in 2020 (3.6% versus 2019).
At a future Council meeting, members will be considering Chicken Farmers of Canada’s quota allocation for period A-171. Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency
On April 7, 2021, the Beef Agency informed the FPCC about its proposed amendments to members’ fees in its By-Laws. According to Section 25.(c) of the Farm Products Agencies Act, Council members must approve fees paid to members of the Agency. On May 10, 2021, Council members reviewed and approved the proposed increases to Schedule B: Member Remuneration, which includes per diems and fee payments.
Canadian Hatching Egg Producers
On May 10, 2021, Council members reviewed and approved CHEP’s amendments to the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers Quota Regulations. CHEP proposed two amendments that resulted from its meeting on March 25, 2021, which was a revised allocation for 2021 of Schedule 1, and an initial allocation for 2022 as Schedule 2. Council members were in agreement that due to the fact there are many uncertainties currently surrounding the chicken industry, the proposed amendments were necessary to implement CHEP’s marketing plan.
Additionally, members reviewed and approved amendments to the Canadian Broiler Hatching Egg Marketing Levies Order. The national levy will remain unchanged at $0.003 per broiler hatching egg, while the provincial levy rate for British Columbia increased to $0.0180, and the other signatory provinces remain unchanged. The levy rate for hatching eggs marketed from non-signatory provinces to the signatory provinces increases to $0.013687. These amendments expire on June 23, 2022.
On May 11, 2021, the FPCC had the pleasure of virtually hosting the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers (CHEP) Chair, Brian Bilkes, Vice-Chair, Gyslain Loyer, Second Vice-Chair, Calvin Breukelman and Executive Director, Drew Black for CHEP’s annual meeting with Council. They updated members on issues and challenges facing their industry including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how they have had to work closely with their hatchery partners to respond to issues as they arose.
They also discussed their work on a revised Liquidated Damages Assessment Agreement. Council members were very pleased with the progress on the updated agreement and look forward to its completion and implementation.
Levy Committee Meetings
An amendment to the Canadian Chicken Marketing Levies Order from the provincial board of Alberta was approved by the FPCC Levy Committee when they met on April 21, 2021. The proposed amendment was to increase the levy imposed on chicken producers for the marketing of chicken in interprovincial and export trade from 1.75 to 1.85 cents per kg (live weight). This amendment will expire on March 31, 2022.
Next Council Meeting
Next month, the FPCC will be meeting on June 15, 2021, when it will host the Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency. During this meeting, the Agency will present its 2021-2022 business plan. Members also anticipate meeting on July 6 2021, for a regular meeting to discuss Council business and files regarding the supply management and promotion research Agencies. You can keep abreast of Council meetings via the FPCC website.
Promotion and Research Agencies
Canadian Pork Promotion and Research Agency (Pork PRA)
The Pork PRA met on April 27, 2021, to review its By-Laws and its regular business, as well as to elect members of its Executive Committee.
The Pork Agency appointed its first Executive: Scott Dingwell, from Prince Edward Island, as Chair, Maaike Campbell, from Ontario as, Vice-Chair, and, Troy Warren, a representative from the Canadian Meat Council, as Secretary-Treasurer.