Agriculture
Minister Jeff Leal has taken over the Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers
Marketing Board and has appointed former NDP agriculture minister Elmer
Buchanan trustee and to negotiate tomato-growing contracts for this season.
Leal
says he made the move because negotiations between the board and processors are
at an impasse and things need to be settled soon for spring planting.
It’s the
third chapter in an ongoing drama that began last year when Geri Kamenz,
chairman of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, threatened to take
away the board’s negotiating powers.
There
was a huge outcry from farmers, including the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture, so Leal stepped in to order a round of consultations.
Kamenz
resigned, Leal elevated Jim Clark from vice-chairman to commission chairman and
consultations began, including a meeting last week.
As
trustee, Leal said “Buchanan temporarily assumes the powers of the board to
negotiate 2017 contracts, until elections for a OPVG Board are held prior to
December 31, 2017.
“This
mandate will ensure that Mr. Buchanan assists in the negotiations of 2017
contracts, benefitting both parties involved and saving the tomato season.
“This
decision also honours the directive I issued last August to develop a regulatory
framework to achieve reform for the 2018 growing season and beyond.
“In
making this difficult decision, our government has ensured we maintain our
regulated marketing system – one that produces high quality food for the
consumers of Ontario, contributes positively to our economy, provide good jobs
for Ontarians and ultimately, is a decision that supports farmers, processors
and consumers for the well-being of the sector and the province of Ontario,”
Leal said.
