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Council Retreat of January 11- 13
Council members met in Ottawa on January 11 for a strategic planning session. Council's Governance Manual was reviewed and new members were briefed on the structure and activities of the egg, chicken, turkey and broiler hatching egg sectors.
On January 12 and 13, members discussed Council's 2003-2006 Strategic Vision and the direction Council should take for the next four years.
The four poultry and egg agencies, CPEPC and FPPAC attended and updated Council on their plans, priorities and concerns. Council also received comments from these stakeholders on changes they would like to see made to the Farm Products Agencies Act and Council's Complaints Procedures.
Portfolio News
Meet Steve Verheul: Canada's Chief Agriculture Negotiator
Mr. Steve Verheul, Chief Agriculture Negotiator, is responsible for Canada's involvement in international agriculture negotiations with such groups as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
For the past 15 years, Mr. Verheul has been working at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). He grew up in a farming community in southern Ontario where his family ran a farm-equipment business.
After working in positions with the Ontario and federal governments, he accepted a job at AAFC in 1989 with the International Programs Branch (now the Markets and Trade Team).
"I fell into it when the opportunity came up," says Mr. Verheul. "And I found the job quite interesting, so I just stuck with it."
A big part of his job has been taking part in negotiations at the WTO in Geneva, Switzerland, where an important milestone was reached at a July 2004 ministerial meeting.
These negotiations involved the 148 member countries agreeing to a framework for agriculture that will serve as a roadmap for ongoing negotiations aimed at leveling the playing field by reducing the levels of trade-distorting domestic support, eliminating export subsidies, and improving market access for all products.
Mr. Verheul and his team of 30 trade specialists draft proposals that reflect the goals and objectives of the Government of Canada and of the various sectors of Canada's agricultural industries.
They then work tirelessly to drum up support for the proposals, both internationally and domestically, with the assistance of Canada's industry representatives.
Council Business
FOCUS Release Date Change
The next issue of FOCUS originally scheduled to be released on March 30, 2005 has been re-scheduled to April 6, in order to allow better coverage of the Agencies' Annual General Meetings.
Receive FOCUS Electronically
As we reported last year, our FOCUS newsletter is now available electronically. You can now receive our bulletin by email.
The format we are using is a PDF file. We also post our newsletter on our website in HTML and PDF format. We offer a link to download a free version of PDF reader at www.nfpc-cnpa.gc.ca.
For those interested in receiving FOCUS electronically, please complete the form below
and notify us by mail, fax or telephone.
National Farm Products Council
344 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 7Y3
Fax: (613) 995-2097
Attn: Chantal Lafontaine
Tel: (613) 995-9148
ORGANIZATION:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
Agency News
Chicken and Turkey TQAC Meets
A meeting of the Tariff Rate Quota Advisory Committee (TQAC) for chicken and turkey, chaired by International Trade Canada (ITCan), was held on January 20, 2005 in Ottawa.
The TQAC is made up of representatives of producers, processors, further processors, retailers, the restaurant and food service sector and importers.
The main issue discussed was the allocation of chicken Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for the 2005 calendar year. Based on last year's chicken production of 967,174,643 million kilograms (Mkg), the TRQ access level for 2005 will be 72,538,098 kg.
The Committee was unable to reach a consensus on an allocation methodology. As a result, ITCan, in consultation with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will review all stakeholder positions and propose a methodology to the Minister of ITCan for his consideration.
Industry News
NAASA Membership Update
On December 21, 2004, the Government of Québec appointed a new chairperson to the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec. He is Me Marc A. Gagnon, former Vice Chairman of La Financière agricole du Québec. His term began on January 24, 2005. Former Chair Gaëtan Busque continues as a member of the Régie.
The NAASA Chairs and General Managers are as follows:
National Farm Products Council
Chair: Cynthia Currie
Executive Director: Terry Hayward
British Columbia Farm Industry Review Board
Chair: Richard Bullock
GM: Jim Collins
Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council
Chair: Don Macyk
GM: Brent McEwan
Saskatchewan Agri-Food Council
Chair: Garf Stevenson
GM: Joy A. Smith
Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council
Chair: David Gislason
GM: Gordon MacKenzie
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
Chair: Dave Hope
GM: Arva Machan
Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec
Chair: Marc Gagnon
New Brunswick Farm Products Marketing Commission
Chair: Hazen Myers
GM: Bob Goggin
Nova Scotia Natural Products Marketing Council
Chair: Rollie Hayman
GM: George Burris
Prince Edward Island Marketing Council
Chair: Allison Ellis
GM: Murray Myles
Newfoundland Agricultural Products Marketing Board
Chair: Vacant
GM: Reg King
Northwest Territories Agricultural Products Marketing Council
Chair: Robert Bailey
GM: John Colford
NAASA is comprised of the national and provincial and territorial supervisory boards. These supervisory boards have regulatory responsibility for marketing boards and agencies for supply-managed and other products within their jurisdictions.
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January 2005
OMAF Hosts Agriculture Policy Conference
On December 6 and 7, 2004, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) hosted a conference in Toronto on the WTO agriculture negotiations. The conference was titled "Agriculture Policy Considerations raised by the WTO Doha Round of Negotiations". This event, supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), involved a number of trade experts from around the world, representatives of industry associations and government officials.
As part of a national consultation between government, industry and subject matter experts, this conference was an opportunity to understand and share information on agricultural trade issues, their complexities and the varied interests of the parties involved in the negotiations. Presentations and debates provided the audience with useful knowledge and perspective regarding the future round of negotiations.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell highlighted the importance of such events, which draw together Canadians from all parts of the industry and governments to work in a "collective and collaborative way" to ensure a successful outcome of these negotiations for the whole agri-food sector and all Canadians.
In July 2004, all WTO members agreed on the framework on agriculture. This conference was part of Canadian agriculture negotiators' preparation for the next WTO ministerial conference, to take place in Hong Kong in December 2005. In the meantime, more discussions on developing rules for "technical issues" and "substantive issues" will take place in the coming months at all negotiating levels.
The Council is closely following the negotiations and will continue to keep you informed of new developments.
Chicken Processing Facility to Locate in Saskatoon
In late 2004, Prairie Pride Natural Foods Ltd. announced plans to build a $15 million chicken processing facility in Saskatoon. The 115,000 square foot state-of-the-art processing plant will be built on a 20 acre site in the north industrial area of the city and will be capable of handling over 600,000 birds per week.
In addition, there will be a hatchery located in the Saskatoon area. The two facilities will have several hundred full-time employees. "This new plant will enable us to supply fresh and frozen poultry products to our customers in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada," said Barry Schneider, Manager, Prairie Pride. "We will break ground in early 2005 to be operational by fall of next year."
Bruce Arabsky, Director of Operations for Prairie Pride, said "We chose Saskatoon after reviewing many other locations throughout western Canada. We were impressed with the location, the infrastructure and the city in general. Saskatoon is a great location for servicing the growing needs of both local and national customers." He added, "This is a major investment and a great opportunity to significantly enhance and expand the poultry industry in Saskatchewan."
Olymel and Supraliment Join Forces
Olymel s.e.c., a subsidiary of La Coop fédérée and Supraliment, a division of Group Brochu, have signed a partnership agreement amalgamating all of their assets and operations in the slaughtering, cutting, boning, processing and marketing of pork and poultry meats. This venture has been approved by shareholders of both companies and is subject to approval by the Competition Bureau. Until the transaction is approved, both companies will continue to operate independently.
Supraliment and Olymel market an extensive line of products mainly under the Olymel, Lafleur and Flamingo brands. The new company, as yet unnamed, will operate plants and distribution centres in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, is expected to generate sales of $2.5 billion and will employ 12,000 workers.
Réjean Nadeau, president of Olymel, says this project has indisputable advantages. ''We are focusing on the positive aspects of our differences while eliminating the roadblocks to our respective growth. We are combining within a single structure, with all the necessary elements to become a leader in national and international markets."
International News
International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia
The International Poultry Exposition is coming to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on January 26 - 28, 2005. This year's theme is: ''Changes and Challenges.'' The exposition is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. Every sector of the industry is represented at the show: feed mills, hatcheries, live production, processing, further processing, marketing, and all other support activities.
Last year's expo saw 863 exhibitors and nearly 18,000 visitors filled more than 16 acres of display area in the World Congress Center with every conceivable product and service imaginable.
For those interested in attending this year's event, Atlanta offers a variety of hotels, all within a short distance of the Congress Center. Call 1-800-480-4364 for reservations or for more details visit this link: poultryexposition
Nominations for Director-General of WTO
Four candidates have been nominated by their respective governments to replace Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, whose term expires on August 31, 2005, as WTO Director-General. They are: Carlos Pérez del Castillo of Uruguay, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius, Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa of Brazil and Pascal Lamy of France.
The procedures for the appointment of the Director-General, adopted by the General Council on December 10, 2002, stipulate that the appoint-ment process must start nine months prior to the expiry of the term of the incumbent Director-General.
December 1-31, 2004: One month for Member Governments to nominate candidates.
January 1 - March 31, 2005: Three months for the nominated candidates to make themselves known to Members, to engage in discussions on the pertinent issues facing the WTO, and to be invited to meet with Members at a formal General Council meeting.
April 1, 2005 -May 31, 2005: Two months for the Members to select and appoint one of the candidates.
The process shall conclude with a meeting of the General Council convened not later than three months prior to the expiry of the incumbent's term (i.e. by May 31, 2005), at which time a decision to appoint a new Director-General shall be taken.
Brazil's Poultry Industry Outshines Other Sectors in 2004
Tthe three major sectors in the Brazilian meat industry, poultry had
the strongest performance in 2004, according to the latest South American meat market report. With production growth of 9.2% in 2004, there was an opportunity to increase prices and profitability in the sector, as a result of new records achieved in exports, international prices and domestic demand.
The report says that chicken exports should finish 2004 at a level of 2.38 million tonnes, up 24% from 2003. The Safras e Mercado market analyst added, "reduced production costs and strong world prices also combined to offset the higher exchange rate."
The high production levels and good profitability of 2004 are already defining the production trend for 2005. Chicken production may hit 8.65 million tonnes, a 3.6% increase from 2004. Exports are estimated at 2.4 million tonnes. The sector would need a better exchange rate as well as stable order levels in order to outpace 2004's record.
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