Chapter 2: Industry Structure

• 2.1 Legislative framework
  
  • 2.1.1 Farm Products Agencies Act
  • 2.1.2 National Farm Products Council (NFPC)
    
• 2.2 Production structure
  
  
• 2.3 Turkey hatching egg production
  
  • 2.3.1 Production
  • 2.3.2 Imports
  • 2.3.3 Exports
    
• 2.4 Hatcheries

2.1 Legislative framework

The establishment of orderly marketing for turkeys in Canada was created by way of various Acts and Regulations by Canada ’s Parliament at the national level, assisted by legislation at the provincial level. The Farm Products Agencies Act is the primary piece of legislation allowing for the establishment of commodity boards in Canada . In order to monitor the marketing practices of the commodity boards, the Act also allows for the creation of a supervisory body known as the National Farm Products Council.

2.1.1 Farm Products Agencies Act

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-4/

The Farm Products Agencies Act -- R.S., 1985, c. F-4 , (formerly known as the Farm Products Marketing Agencies Act, 1970-71-72, c. 65, s. 1), was enacted to authorize the creation of marketing boards for agricultural products in Canada, and to establish the supervisory body of the National Farm Products Council. By way of this Act, the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency was proclaimed (Section 16(1)), and is the national body representing turkey producers or farmers in Canada .

2.1.2 National Farm Products Council (NFPC)

http://nfpc-cnpa.gc.ca

The Council (formerly known as the National Farm Products Marketing Council), must consist of not less than three and not more than nine members, at least half of whom must be primary producers. The Council is responsible for:

• Advising the Minister on all matters relating to the establishment and operation of marketing agencies under the Act, with a view to maintaining and enhancing efficient, competitive agriculture;
• Reviewing the agencies’ operations to ensure compliance with the objectives set out in section 21;
• Working with the agencies to improve interprovincial and export trade in farm products.
  

2.2 Production structure

2.3 Turkey hatching egg production

2.3.1 Production

Turkey hatching egg producers are not governed by any supply managed agency and, thus, have no production limitation. Ontario is the largest turkey hatching eggs producer with 53% of the total Canadian production in 2003 followed by Manitoba with 21% and Quebec with 15%. As table 1 demonstrates, turkey hatching egg production has experienced a slow decrease over the last decade.

Sources: CFIA and Institut de la statistique du Québec (IST) / Compiled by the AAFC Poultry Section

2.3.2 Imports

A small proportion of turkey hatching eggs that are set and poults that are placed in Canada are imported from abroad. Of the 36,269,000 turkey hatching eggs that were set in 2003, 898,000 or 2.5% were imported. Imports of poults are more considerable and reached 3,958,000 poults in 2003. As table 3 and 4 demonstrate, Ontario is responsible for the quasi-totality of the imports occurring in Canada with 91% of the hatching egg imports and 98% for poults.

2.3.3 Exports

If most poultry sectors are not actively pursuing export markets as you would expect with supply managed commodities, it is not the case for turkey hatching eggs and poults. Known for their genetic capacities, their technology and their products quality, Canadian establishments are highly regarded worldwide in that domain.

In 2003, Canada exported 22,162,000 turkey hatching eggs and 8,358,000 poults. As it is the case with imports and as demonstrated by the following tables, Ontario is responsible for an overwhelming majority of the exports, especially for eggs.

2.4 Hatcheries

Hatcheries are an integral link in the turkey supply chain. They come between two producer groups: turkey hatching egg producers and turkey growers. As of 2004, there are 22 turkey hatcheries in Canada , all federally registered. Table 6 breaks down these hatcheries by province.

Sources: CFIA and IST / Compiled by the AAFC Poultry Section

Turkey hatching eggs are fertile and sent to hatcheries to hatch 28 days later. Poults are then shipped to turkey growers that will grow the birds until they reach their maturity (from 10 weeks in the case of broiler turkeys to 18 weeks in the case of heavy Toms).

The hatchability rate varies from province to province and between different types of turkey. That being said, in 2003, the hatchability ratio of hatching eggs set in Canada was 79.8% for broiler turkeys and 78.5% for heavy turkeys.

Table 7 lists the annual placements by province (e.g. eggs that have hatched and were shipped to turkey growers).

Important Notices

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