Identity of hog industry petitioners made public

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Names of producers who petitioned the Farm Products Marketing Commission for a hearing into the marketing powers of Ontario Pork were made public during an Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal hearing earlier this month.

The hearing addressed the Commission’s 2008 decision to end Ontario Pork’s marketing powers.

In April, the Tribunal had ordered the names be released to the parties who appealed the Commission’s decision. However, Sara Blake, the Commission’s Counsel, warned those receiving the information that they couldn’t release them to the media.

The names became public after being entered as records supporting the appeal.

Appin area pork producer Rein Minnema initiated the appeal last winter and was joined by Huron Pork Producers Association and Districts 10, 11 and 12. The Districts subsequently withdrew their appeal.

The hearing opened in Guelph on Nov. 26 and continued into early December. No decision has yet been released.

According to a provincial government website, the Tribunal provides an impartial appeal body available to any person who feels aggrieved by decisions of marketing boards, the Farm Products Marketing Commission or a director appointed under the Farm Products Marketing Act. BF