New Agreement Will Support Nova Scotia

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--New Agreement Will Support Nova Scotia Chicken Industry

Nova Scotia chicken producers will benefit from a national agreement designed to support continued growth in the chicken industry. The agreement was signed July 5.

Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said consumers will not see changes in grocery store prices. However, this new agreement enhances the competitiveness and efficiency of the Canadian industry. The agreement also opens the door to pursue wider opportunities in domestic and international markets.

"I am pleased this important agreement is in place after three years of hard work," said Mr. Fage. "It brings all provinces in Canada back under a single, market-responsive, national supply- management system for chicken. My congratulations to Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia and to David Fuller."

David Fuller is the chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada and is a Nova Scotia producer. He has shown strong leadership throughout this process and has worked tirelessly to bring about this agreement.

Canadian chicken production has grown by 60 per cent in the past 10 years. This agreement will allow the industry, producers and processors to manage the supply of chicken based on market needs. This will ensure that producers in all provinces are participating equitably in future market growth.

Mr. Fage said that the agreement is based on government working closely with the Canadian chicken industry.

"We were pleased to have provincial chicken boards, provincial supervisory boards, the National Farm Products Council and the processing industry involved in the revision process since 1998."

Paul Cook, chair of Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia, was pleased to join his colleagues on July 5 to sign the agreement.

"We have a strong and vibrant industry in Nova Scotia, and I am pleased that the Nova Scotia government has shown their support and confidence in our future by signing this agreement."

"The Natural Products Marketing Council members have appreciated working with Chicken Farmers of Nova Scotia and Chicken Farmers of Canada to finalize the agreement," said Henry Bowers, chair of the Council. "We look forward to supporting its implementation and seeing future growth in the Nova Scotia chicken industry,"

The agreement was three years in the making and replaces the original 1978 agreement. It brings all 10 provinces back into the national supply-management system for chicken. Alberta was out of the agreement for one year and British Columbia for more than 10 years.