Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz has appointed Abbotsford, B.C., farmer Debra Etsell for a three-year term to the Farm Products Council of Canada.
The FPCC oversees poultry and egg supply management systems, as well as import check-off programs used to collect money for research and promotion.
This summer, the Canadian beef industry became the first to set up a border check-off scheme to raise money from imports.
This autumn, the council begins hearings on a proposal to create a Red Raspberry Research, Market Development Promotion Agency for British Columbia. The first hearing is scheduled to take place in Abbotsford on Oct. 22.
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Etsell, director of Coligny Hill Farms Ltd., produces turkeys, hay and wine grapes on the family farm.
She is executive director of the B.C. Blueberry Council and has worked for the B.C. Agriculture Council.
Husband Garnet is also involved in agricultural politics.
He was second vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and former president of the BCAC.
He has been the main promoter of a CFA effort to develop a national food strategy.
Although Farm Products Council appointments are for a three-year term, re-appointment is possible at the pleasure of the agriculture minister.
The chair of the Ottawa-based Farm Products Council is former CFA president and Quebec hog producer Laurent Pellerin.
In his announcement, Ritz praised Etsell’s “hands-on farming experience and passion for seeing the sector grow.”
She replaces Abbotsford producer Ed De Jong, who retired earlier this year.
