Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Pork Featured Articles

Better Pork magazine is published bimonthly. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Commission, pork producers to address Tribunal on Monday

Thursday, March 5, 2009

© AgMedia Inc

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

On Monday, a Farm Product Marketing Commission lawyer will tell the Farm Products Appeal Tribunal it should dismiss hog producers’ appeals of the Commissions’ ruling on marketing made last fall. Consultant Elbert van Donkersgoed, acting on behalf of Glencoe producer, Rein Minnema, doesn’t think it will be nearly that simple.

Monday’s conference is a square off between the commission, which has ruled that Ontario Pork’s single desk selling powers should be rescinded, and producers who disagree.

On Jan. 29, Commission lawyer Robert H. Jaworski sent a letter to the Tribunal, stating the producers’ appeals “are not made in good faith” and the appellants “have not demonstrated sufficient interest in the subject matter of the appeals.”

On Monday van Donkersgoed says he received a “book” of court rulings “half an inch thick,” detailing why the Tribunal shouldn’t hear the appeal against the Commission.  “One week is not nearly adequate time to respond” to the commission’s arguments, van Donkersgoed says. He notified the Tribunal via fax on March 4 that he would file a response to the Tribunal by March. 23.

Kirk Walstedt, chair of the Farm Products Appeal Tribunal, says only one day for the hearing is scheduled. “Quite often we are looking at a lengthy hearing to streamline issues to make the hearing proceed in a timely manner.” 

Van Donkersgoed is aware of one instance, since 2000, when the Tribunal ruled on a Commission decision. That appeal was settled more than two years after the commission issued a decision on chicken marketing. “I fully expect the Tribunal will follow a somewhat similar process,” he says, if not the same timeline. The issues there were complex, he allows. 

Van Donkersgoed says fellow Middlesex producers Tony and Maria Felder are considering combining their appeal with his. 

John Vander Burgt, a member of Huron Pork Producers Association, another appellant, said it was difficult to find a lawyer knowledgeable in agriculture who would take on the case because of possible conflicts with other clients they were representing. As of Thursday, the association still hadn’t secured legal representation.

The conference, scheduled for 9 am Monday, at the Ramada Inn in Guelph, is open to the public, BF

Current Issue

August 2025

Better Pork Magazine

Farms.com Swine News

Co-ops Acquire Blair’s Ag Retail Sites

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has announced the sale of six Blair’s Family of Companies (BCS) ag retail locations to four local Co-ops, marking the end of a major transition. This change follows FCL’s purchase of all remaining shares in its joint venture with the Blair’s family,... Read this article online

Regenerative Oats Farming Showcased at Field Days

Thursday, September 4, 2025

The 4th Annual Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) Field Days marked a major milestone in advancing sustainable agriculture, uniting farmers, industry partners, and community leaders at Katerynych Family Farm near Richard, Saskatchewan. Hosted by Nature’s Path Organic Foods in partnership with... Read this article online

Alberta Cattle Producers to Step Away from CCA in 2026

Thursday, September 4, 2025

The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) Board of Directors has announced its decision to formally withdraw membership from the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), effective July 1, 2026. The decision follows months of strategic review and discussions around accountability, transparency, and value... Read this article online

Alberta Reviews Future of Farm Plastics

Thursday, September 4, 2025

The Government of Alberta is gathering feedback on whether agricultural plastics should be managed under a provincial regulatory framework. This initiative is being led by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas together with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. The consultation is focused... 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