The board regulates marketing; the association lobbies on behalf of dairy farmers.
FIRB chairman Peter Donkers wrote that “the fiduciary duty owed to both organizations makes it impossible for a reasonably informed member of the public to determine whether the executive director is making decisions or providing advice with a view to benefiting the industry interests represented by the BCDA (association), or in furtherance of sound marketing policy in the public interest for the BCMMB,(marketing board)” Donkers wrote in a letter to both organizations which have crafted a memorandum of understanding, but have not yet signed it.
Donkers ordered the marketing board to not sign it.