Egg response

Thursday, March 10, 2011

by BETTER FARMING STAFF

Over the past few weeks none of the egg producers contacted by Better Farming were willing to speak publicly about any of the issues raised by ongoing court cases surrounding egg marketing. Some however privately expressed deep concern about the impact on egg marketing in this province. 

Allison Webster, a lawyer acting for LH Grey, did respond to our efforts with a warning, in the form of a letter by registered mail, which says in part:

"We understand that you are attempting to obtain a copy of the submission that was prepared by Norman Bourdeau in December of 2010 and forwarded to the Farm Products Marketing Commission and to various other third parties." The letter explains that the documentation is "confidential and proprietary." In another paragraph Webster says her client alleges that the information involved "has been manipulated such that it is unreliable and entirely without foundation."

Webster concludes by saying: "Our client takes very seriously the allegations that have been made against it which it has denied, continues to deny vigorously and will aggressively defend. We trust that you will be mindful and adhere to your legal obligations with respect to the publication of any information relating to this submission, or the matters currently before the court."

This morning a judge in Oshawa began hearing arguments in support of motions in a five and a half year old suit between the province's third largest grader and Egg Farmers of Ontario. Better Farming reporter Don Stoneman is in the courtroom and will be reporting on that proceeding when it is over. BF