A review of Saskatchewan’s egg marketing plan and a decision last week
to hold the limit for non-quota egg producers will squeeze out smaller
operations, say two small egg farmers.
Terry Motz and Curtis Jensen had asked the Saskatchewan Agri-Food
Council to consider raising the non-quota limit of 299 birds. The
council oversees the Saskatchewan Egg Producers board, which is
responsible for allotting quota in the province.
The pair also complained about the length of time they have been on
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waiting lists trying to get quota, the way in which the board operates,
the amount of quota held by board members and how quota moves.
The council ruled against increasing the non-quota limit and told the
two farmers any complaints regarding the board practices need to be
addressed by the Agri-Food Act’s appeal committee.
In a letter sent to the two farmers last week, council chair Garf
Stevenson wrote: “Council concluded that increasing available
production to non-registered producers would only create a situation
where the quota of registered producers would be reduced.
“This would not stimulate growth, but would lead to a decrease in the
province’s production.”
In an interview, Stevenson said Saskatchewan has one of the highest
allocations for non-quota flocks in Canada.
He said the council is continuing to study Motz and Jensen’s complaints
regarding board practices.
In the letter, Stevenson said the council has begun a review of the
Saskatchewan Commercial Egg Producers’ marketing plan. The review was
in part precipitated by the recent complaints, but also by a need to
review the plan every 10 years, said Stevenson.
“Council feels it is important to update the regulations to support
current board operations as well as to encourage industry development.”
Jensen fears his small flock is not seen as part of that industry
development.
He thinks any changes will bring board regulations in line with past
board practices that, he said, have favoured larger producers, allowed
producers already holding quota to have more birds and bypassed those
on waiting lists.
“It could align it so anything that has gone on is OKed and everyone is
protected,” Jensen said.
“Why not give the same opportunities to the small guy,” said Jensen,
noting egg production is a good way to diversify, as promoted by the
province.
He questioned why the ceiling was raised to 30,000 for regulated flocks
but remained at 299 for non-quota flocks.
Stevenson sympathized with farmers’ need to supplement income, but felt
increasing non-quota flocks would hurt the whole industry.
“We have to work within that (marketing) plan as well as meet the needs
of this province to expand production overall,” he said. “We have to
get a balance as to what is needed to guarantee long-term survival and
balance the needs of small producers.
“You have to get a balance between the larger operations, likely more
efficient and more competitive internationally on world markets at some
point,” Stevenson said. “Likely small producers will not survive; it’s
happening in everything, why not in eggs.”
He noted one egg operation in Minnesota could supply the entire
Canadian market.
“We may not be able to compete if (borders) opened up,” he said.
Motz feels an appeal would be futile and he plans to lobby the
agriculture department with his concerns. He is also seeking legal
advice about his next step.
Mitchell Demyen, of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s food safety and
regulations branch, said the primary responsibility for complaints
rests with boards.
Appeals can be made to the agri-food act appeal committee and then to
the courts. The administration of quota and waiting lists falls under
the board’s jurisdiction, he said.
“The use of the appeal process is to ensure the plan is going as it’s
supposed to,” he said.
Demyen said the minister of agriculture can change the legislation.
“Anything can be changed if enough people say that this is what they
want,” said Demyen. To date, he is only aware of complaints made by
Motz and Jensen.
