Advisory committee for Ontario's fresh grape industry proposed

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

by SUSAN MANN

Ontario’s agency responsible for regulated marketing has proposed an amendment to fresh grape regulations to allow for the establishment of an industry advisory committee.

The current regulations outlining the authority of the Ontario Fresh Grape Growers Marketing Board does not provide for an industry advisory committee, according to the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission. The fresh grape board along with fresh grape dealer/shippers have requested regulations be changed so an advisory committee could be established.

Sarah Marshall, manager of the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers and the fresh grape board, says the committee would make recommendations to the fresh grape board. The commission says the committee’s advice would be related to promotion and marketing activities, quality improvements, information sharing and positioning the industry to identify and take advantage of opportunities on industry improvements.

The committee, if it were established, would be made up of growers and dealer/shippers.

Marshall says the committee could help the industry because the board would benefit from grower and dealer/shipper feedback. As the marketers of the crop, the dealer/shippers know the retail marketplace, she adds.

People have until May 11 to comment. BF