The federal government has unveiled its proposals for maple
syrup standards and, as expected, it is creating consternation and confusion in
the industry.
Quebec is signaling that it may challenge the standards as
an infringement on its provincial jurisdiction.
Ontario is unlikely to be happy because it introduced its
own standards and names a year ago, and required producers to apply drop the
“Canada” prefix and use “Ontario” grade whatever.
The Ontario grades, regulated by provincial law, are now
either Ontario No. 1 or Ontario Processing Grade.
All maple syrup offered for retail sale must carry one of
these two grade names.
Ontario No. 1 is broken into five colours – extra light, light,
medium, amber and dark.
The federal colour proposals are Golden Delicate, Amber Rich, Dark Robust and Very Dark Strong.
The federal grading standards are Canada A and Processing Grade.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says 207 businesses will
be affected if its proposals are adopted.
Most Ontario maple syrup is sold inside the province where
the federal government can’t over-rule provincial legislation.
But the federal government has jurisdiction over trade among
the provinces and both imports and exports. Quebec is a major exporter to the rest of Canada and to other countries.
Its proposals, says Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, will
bring Canada in line with U.S. names and standards and therefore facilitate
trade.
Ontario producers got a heads up when Paul Bailey spoke at
regional producer information meetings during January and February. He is risk
identification and management co-ordinator in the Food of Plants Origin in the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
In a meeting at St. Jacobs in January, for example, he warned producers
they need to apply the “Ontario” prefix to their grading. He also said the
federal government was in the process of considering changes to bring federal
standards in line with international ones and said it was uncertain what this
would mean for the new Ontario regulations.
