Another step taken in pullet growers’ bid for marketing agency

by SUSAN MANN

The panel appointed by the Farm Products Council of Canada held the first of two days of hearings last week studying the request of Pullet Growers of Canada to establish a marketing agency.

The hearing was held April 23 in Ottawa. Andy DeWeerd, chair of Pullet Growers of Canada, says they faced some tough questions “but we were able to give the answers.”

He characterized the hearing as a “good day overall.”

DeWeerd says Pullet Growers was one of 10 presenters at the hearing. All of the submissions “were in favour so it was very positive that way. The council took a very active role and asked good questions of us.”

The next hearing will be in Winnipeg on May 22. After that the panel will make a recommendation to the Farm Products Council of Canada and “if it’s favourable” the council will make a recommendation to federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, who takes it to Cabinet, DeWeerd says. The minister makes the decision based on the council’s recommendation.

There are 550 pullet growers in Canada. Pullets, young chickens raised to become egg layers, are currently the only part of the feather industry not under supply management. The pullet growers’ organization is pursing agency status to give it the required legal powers to represent and make decisions on behalf of members. Having a national marketing agency means pullet farmers will have their own voice in the poultry industry. BF