A report commissioned by the provincial government says the
quota control system for maple syrup should be scrapped.
The report prepared by Florent Gagne says the Quebec Maple
Syrup Producers Federation should continue to set a production target, but
producers ought to be able to exceed it if they wish. They should also be able
to pull out of the federation.
Gagne said that under supply management, Quebec has been
losing market share as competitors expand production. Quebec once held about 80
per cent of the world market, but has lost 10 per cent and the report says it
will lose another 10 per cent by 2025 if supply management remains in place.
Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis said Quebec's maple
syrup industry is handcuffed by too many rules and regulations.
He said trade agreements with Europe and Pacific Rim
countries mean Quebec's maple syrup producers will soon have the potential to
reach 1.3 billion consumers and, that if they don't take advantage, other
producers will.
Gagne said Quebec's syrup industry needs to be
"simplified, relaxed and given oxygen."
Gagne also called on the federation that represents the
province's 13,500 maple syrup producers to loosen its grip on production.
