Appointments Made to Marketing Council

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine today announced appointments to the Natural Products Marketing Council, effective immediately.

Henry Bowers of Urbania, Hants County, will replace retiring chair Stuart Allaby, and will be joined by new members Donald Newcombe of Port Williams, and Jim Bragg of Truro. George Burris, manager of Programs and Risk Management, will replace Brian Smith, executive director of Agricultural Development, both with the Department of Agriculture and Marketing, as secretary to the council. Leta Ells of Canning, Linda Grant of Churchville, and Laurie Hennigar of Sheffield Mills, also serve on the council.

"I am pleased to be making these appointments so that the Natural Products Marketing Council is in place to deal with the complex marketing issues facing the industry," said Mr. Lorraine. "The council works closely with commodity groups and enjoys a good working relationship with the industry."

The council acts as a supervisory body for the 10 marketing boards in Nova Scotia. These organizations carry out regulated production and marketing of chicken, turkey, eggs, pork, greenhouse vegetable crops, potatoes, processing peas and beans, wool, grain and tobacco. The council functions under the authority of the Natural Products Act.

Henry Bowers has served as a member of the council since 1997. Mr. Bowers was general manager of the Farm Debt Review Board with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for 14 years prior to his retirement. Mr. Newcombe is past vice-president of Agriculture Production with ACA Co-Operative Limited, and has served as vice chairman of the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency in Ottawa and as a member of the provincial marketing board. Mr. Bragg served as general manager of the Nova Scotia Egg and Pullet Producers Marketing Board for 18 years and has a background in food retail distribution.

In making today's announcement, Mr. Lorraine acknowledged the work of retiring chair, Stuart Allaby, and out-going secretary, Brian Smith, who have been with the council 12 and 11 years respectively. "Stuart Allaby provided leadership to the council and brought a great deal of knowledge about marketing systems in the province and in Canada which was an asset for our council and the industry," said the Mr. Lorraine. "The contribution made by Brian Smith, with his strong marketing background, was also invaluable. Both men were instrumental in developing the council into the strong organization it is today."