The Canadian Sheep Agency and three provincial sheep organizations in Western Canada got involved in an appeal filed by Roger Albers of Alberta and Matt Lynch of Ontario against a marketing fee charged by Sheep Farmers of Ontario.
That raised the issue of whether the four could participate in a public hearing before the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal.
The tribunal has ruled that the sheep federation may participate, but not the associations representing shepherds in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
They all oppose Ontario’s right to charge a fee on sheep brought in from their provinces.
Albers and Lynch are asking the tribunal for:
• A determination that Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF), in the impugned orders, directions, decisions, policies or regulations has acted outside the scope of its jurisdiction;
• That the tribunal direct OSF to issue a directive to every person, including a broker/dealer, an auction market, or a processor, who receives sheep or wool to immediately stop deducting the license fee from the sale proceeds payable to non-resident producers.
No date has yet been set for the public hearing.
