December 9, 2008 Board Highlights Volume 10, Issue 13 The purpose of this Newsflash is to help keep you informed on the issues the Board is dealing with on your behalf.    This update is sent by fax or e-mail (preferably e-mail wherever possible). If you have received a duplicate fax or e-mail, wish to make changes, or would like to be added to or removed from our distribution list, please let us know.   Please direct any questions or comments to the Ontario Pork Communications department at 1-877-ONT-PORK (668-7675) or by e-mail to comm@ontariopork.on.ca       The following are highlights from the December 9th, 2008 Ontario Pork board meeting. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) A status update on Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) was presented.  On December 1st, the Canadian Government announced their request for formal consultations on COOL measures with the United States under the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement process.  Bridgette provided a brief overview of the process and timelines highlighting that it could take a couple of years.  It is important to submit any evidence of harm as soon as possible and Ontario Pork has already prepared a couple of items re decreases in exports and losses in profitability.  Ontario Pork is working with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association to create a form to solicit and document injury from producers, transporters, etc.  The Business Intelligence Officer for OP attended a meeting hosted by OMAFRA where Kim O’Neil, Trade Commissioner with the Denver Consulate reported that the final rule for COOL is expected to be in place by January 2009 and suggested that messaging to Ottawa should include fixes acceptable to the pork industry.    COOL information items have been and will continue to be posted on the Ontario Pork website.  There was a suggestion to document the needs of our US customers, and staff confirmed that there have been more bids coming again from the US as the market adjusts and processors are recognizing that they can’t meet capacity requirements.    Canadian Pork Council The funding of traceability/movement monitoring is being discussed at the national level with potential funds available through the Growing Forward framework.  It is an on-going challenge to achieve a coordinated national system as the provinces have unique interests, structures and funding models to consider.   Draft Quebec-Ontario Trade Agreement   At the last Board meeting it was agreed to send a letter to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture with reasons why Ontario Pork is not supportive of the Draft Quebec-Ontario Trade Agreement. A draft version of the letter was circulated with Board members complimenting the work and indicating that they especially appreciated the supporting statistics included.  Draft follow-up letters to the Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture about trade implications and opportunities for non-supply managed commodities, and the impact of Quebec’s support program will be sent.     Safety Nets - Beginning Farmers   The Board discussed next steps with the Beginning Farmers issue. Phil Anwender, Ontario Pork Safety Nets Committee Chair circulated a summary of government funds that have flowed into the Ontario hog industry through various programs since August 2007.  The Board acknowledged that while significant funds have been paid out, a number of producers will still be insolvent within the next twelve months.  Resolutions calling for Ontario Pork to make a public statement supporting producers treated unfairly by the Ontario Cattle, Hog and Horticulture Payment (OCHHP) have been received from Oxford, Huron and Perth counties. Recorded vote requested.  A motion was passed that Ontario Pork publicly state its support of the producers who have been treated unfairly by the Ontario Cattle, Hog and Horticulture Payment.      Curtiss is to meet with the Director of Communications & Consumer Marketing to identify options and a plan for the Board’s consideration on December 19th.  The Board discussed positioning with the Ontario Minister of Agriculture.  Re-circulate the letter to The letter to the Minister will be re-circulated.  The Board considered the potential to facilitate a meeting of producers aggrieved by the OCHHP to achieve consensus on what they want, and to quantify any potential ask.  The Board debated the extent of the problem – how to best address the shortfall, and the number of producers involved depending on how the problem is defined.  The continuation of lobby efforts with the Minister and MPP’s was briefly discussed.  The Ontario Pork Safety Net Committee is to meet to begin developing a strategy on the beginning farmers issue and a potential approach to government.     Visit www.ontariopork.on.ca for more industry information.