Premier and Ontario Agriculture Minister Kathleen Wynne
ducked questions about the lack of chicken for CAMI International Poultry and
requests for an inquiry into the Ontario egg industry during her first news
conference with farm reporters today.
She said the CAMI situation is being addressed by a
committee being set up by the Chicken Farmers of Ontario marketing board.
That committee, which she knew includes representation from
the Ontario Independent Poultry Processors association and the Association of
Ontario Chicken Processors, is to work on the details of a new “specialty
products” program the chicken board announced last week.
It is to provide chicken for processors and/or farmers who
can identify new markets or new products that will not “cannibalize” existing
chicken markets.
CAMI lost 70 per cent of its chicken supply, about 600,000
kilograms per quota period, when the Ontario and Quebec marketing boards and
large-scale processors made a deal to stop trade in live chickens across their
border.
The loss threatens to bankrupt CAMI and leave its customers,
including Asians who want Hong Kong dressed birds which have their feet and
heads attached, and Muslims who want hand-slaughtered chickens processed under
Halal standards, without a source of supply.
She said she’s not prepared to do anything right away to
restore CAMI’s chicken supplies because “we need to let the process roll out,”
meaning the new specialty products program.
CAMI owner Jimmy Lee has indicated he intends to file an
application before the March 4 deadline.
At least two requests have been made for an inquiry into the
egg industry, including allegations that there has been flagrant abuse of
grading standards that impacts the revenues of the Egg Farmers of Ontario
marketing board and of egg farmers.
Wynne said the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
“is in the process of making a decision” as to whether it will conduct an
inquiry and “I have to let the process take its course.”
She also noted that some of the issues raised by those
requesting an inquiry are the subject of legal action and therefore she won’t
comment on them.
She was reminded that the commission has had requests for an
inquiry for more than two years.
Wynne also said that if there is an inquiry, it will be
conducted in secret “because the commission has requested confidentiality.”
Wynne confirmed that her top priority will be
re-introduction of a bill to promote local food and said that after the legislature
was prorogued, work has been done to “strengthen” the bill.
She said she wants “to raise the bar on awareness” of food
that is local.
She said she’s aware of the importance of agricultural
research “to the economy of the province” and said negotiations for a new
agreement with the University of Guelph “are nearing finalization.”
Asked about the work load of being both premier and
agriculture minister, she said “I’m going to be very busy,” but noted that the
late Tom Kennedy was both premier and agriculture minister in 1948-49 and Grant
Devine was Saskatchewan premier and agriculture minister.
She said she took the agriculture portfolio “because it’s
important to have a focus on agriculture and food production in the province”
and because she’s aware that many farmers and rural residents felt they were
not getting enough attention at Queen’s Park.
She said she split the ministry because “we haven’t had a
rural affairs strategy in the province for some time.”
She promised to look into drought-relief application
concerns in the Renfrew area. Farmers are complaining that the application
forms are too long and complicated – 10 paqes – and that the federal government
is excluding dairy farmers from help through its contributions to the
federal-provincial program.
She said she has asked to meet with federal Agriculture
Minister Gerry Ritz “but he’s going to be out of the country this week.”
She also said she wants to “simplify” farmers’ access to the
provincial government so they can get answers by calling one place rather than
dealing on various issues with 14 different ministries.
“I wish I could change it more quickly,” she said.
Wynne said she wants “more efficient access” so farmers will
“know where to go” and to “eliminate multiple interactions with government.”
