The Chicken Farmers of Ontario marketing board
still has no new or amended policy governing specialty markets long after its
lawyer, Geoff Spurr, promised to have one soon.
That’s what Spurr told the Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Tribunal during a hearing into an appeal filed by small-scale independent
processors.
The processors, represented by John Slot, were
complaining that more than a year after the board adopted a specialty-markets
policy, nothing is in place.
The tribunal adjourned the appeal in July pending action
by the chicken board to either withdraw or amend the existing policy.
Elizabeth Francisco specialist in legal and
regulatory affairs and secretary to the chicken board, has confirmed there is
no new or amended policy in place in answer to e-mail from Sean McGivern of
Progressive Farmers of Ontario.
Here’s what she e-mailed McGivern:
“ . . . there were some discussions with existing
farmers about growing Silkies and Frey's Special Dual Purpose as these are
eligible breeds under the CFC (Chicken Farmers of Canada) policy.
“In essence, the policy under development is
required to align Ontario with the national program that results in Ontario
being eligible to receive specialty breeds specific supply from CFC.
“There have been no discussions about the policy
and any comments made about any aspect of the imminent policy are speculative.
“Based on the forgoing, I revert back to my
letter dated August 20, 2014 whereby I respectfully suggest that you defer your
request for a hearing at this juncture as it may be too premature to hold a
hearing until a policy is enacted.”
McGivern said in a telephone conversation that at
least one farmer raising these specialty breeds thinks he may end up with $3
million worth of chicken quota.
Meanwhile, small-volume processors who want
chicken supplies so they can develop niche markets remain frozen out.
Justice delayed is justice denied. A policy left on the chicken board shelf is useless.
