Veal producers ponder marketing board

Monday, January 26, 2009

© Copyright AgMedia Inc

by GEOFF DALE

It’s been an ongoing process for almost four years but the executive director of the Ontario Veal Association says the goal of forming a marketing board is in sight – possibly in early 2010.

Jennifer Haley says the association – which would be replaced by the board – has a final proposal ready to be forwarded to the Farm Products Marketing Commission, along with a supporting petition already signed by at least 15 per cent of OVA producers.

While the final version of the application was overwhelmingly received at the association’s recently held annual meeting, she says both the proposal and petition are being circulated to those not at the session.

“We’ve got the 15 per cent but even stronger numbers would make the move less contentious, and easier for the Commission to address.”

The process began with the association consulting industry stakeholders from producers and processors to those in charge of auction barns. Asked to determine what kind of mandate the board would have under the Farm Products Marketing Act, the next step was developing a proposal.

If accepted by the Commission, a recommendation would be made to the provincial minister of agriculture, who would call for a producer vote (much like the tally that resulted in the formation of the joint grains and oilseeds board).

Fifty per cent representing two thirds of total production favouring the move would be required for the formation of a marketing board.

Hayley says a board would help clarify several concerns within the industry, most significantly how many producers there are in Ontario. Current OVA records suggest about 150 but the ministry’s farm business registration statistics peg the number as high as 500.

With check-offs being collected on all cattle – veal, cull cows or beef – she says a veal board would have jurisdiction over veal producers and be better equipped to provide more accurate information on the size of the industry.

“There are a host of reasons why we need to know just who and how many producers there are,” she says. “Without this, it’s difficult to properly develop education programs, communication strategies or deal effectively with advocacy and lobbying efforts.”

While there is a no timeframe attached to the completion of the process, Hayley says she’d “love the board start for 2010.” BF