Veal faces another hurdle before getting marketing board status

Monday, June 1, 2009

© AgMedia Inc.

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Ontario Veal Association representatives are surprised the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission wants more feedback before considering the Association’s request for marketing board powers.

Jennifer Haley, the Association’s executive director, says the Commission’s last minute requirement that the Association obtain support from Ontario’s 4,500 dairy farmers was “unexpected, let’s put it that way.” She estimates the Association will need the support of about 15 per cent of dairy producers to move ahead.

“I think they just want to make sure the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted,” says Judy Dirksen, the Association’s president. Dairy producers will be asked if they agree the proposal should be taken to the Commission — not if they endorse it, she explains.

Dirksen and Haley say the Commission issued the requirement during a May meeting.

Collecting the signatures during the busy summer season will be tough and will delay the Association’s final proposal to the Commission, the two say.

Association representatives “were kind of hopeful” the Commission would have the final proposal by now, says Dirksen. The additional effort, however, “won’t be a bad thing” because “it will strengthen our proposal.”

Haley says the extra effort will ensure “that when (the proposal) does go to a vote, it will be a successful vote rather than one clouded in mystery.”

Completing it will be an additional expense for the Association whose voluntary membership ranges from 150 to 250 producers, Haley adds.

The proposed change to a regulated marketing board won’t create additional expenses for dairy producers, says Haley. The proposed check-off fee on veal calves to fund the board is $3, the same as is currently collected by the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association for all cattle sales – including veal calves.

Haley says veal producers’ needs and strategic priorities are different from the beef industry.  “It’s to really bring more consistency to the marketplace in an orderly fashion,” she says.

Currently, 400-500 producers finish veal calves in Ontario. Market studies show the majority of these are part-time veal farmers who work off the farm or maintain multi-species farms. Haley says dairy operators form a smaller percentage.
Commission Chair Geri Kamenz says he hopes to send a letter to the association by the end of the week. To date, “the Commission hasn’t formally asked them to do anything as a consequence of our Commission meeting . . . (May 23) yet.” He would not confirm details of the Commission’s requests for the same reason.

“We want to be helpful to them; we want to give them the right direction and not frustrate them so we’re taking our time and making sure that we identify . . . all of the elements that need to be met.” BF