Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Tribunal rules in favour of former dairy farmers

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

© AgMedia Inc.

by SUSAN MANN

The Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal is ordering Dairy Farmers of Ontario to repay John and Susanna Cayer $114,492.80 in quota sales income they lost due to the organization’s transfer assessment policy.

The money must be repaid without interest and within 30 days of the March 31 Tribunal decision.

The Cayers couldn’t be reached for comment.

Bill Mitchell, a spokesman for DFO, says the organization’s board will review the decision at its regular meeting later this month.

In its decision, the Tribunal gave three reasons for granting the former milk producers’ appeal:

•    Compassion because the Chesterville-area farmers experienced undue hardship due to John’s health problems. During the two-day hearing (Oct. 31, 2008 and Feb. 2, 2009), the Tribunal learned John’s chronic pain prevents him from working as a dairy farmer and causes problems with daily living;

•    The couple’s plans to leave the dairy industry because of John’s failing health were already in progress when DFO introduced a 15 per cent transfer assessment on all quota sold on the exchange effective Nov. 17, 2006. The Cayers sold their quota in January 2007. The assessment lowered their sales proceeds by $114,492.80. After DFO denied the Cayers’ request for an exemption, the couple appealed to the Tribunal.

•    DFO made errors and omissions during the exemption request procedure. 

The Tribunal recommends the marketing organization write a policy “allowing requests for exemptions from the effects of a DFO policy based on extraordinary circumstances.” It also recommends the organization develop a protocol for exemption requests and train staff and directors to follow it. BF

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Be ready for your next flat tire

Friday, May 30, 2025

By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online

An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen

Friday, May 30, 2025

Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online

Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline

Thursday, May 29, 2025

In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top