Board Highlights Sept 21, 2007

September 21, 2007

Board Highlights Volume 9, Issue 6

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 August 28-29, 2007 Ontario Pork board meeting.

Suspension of Regional Meetings

All Regional meetings will be suspended for 2007 as recommended by the Policy Development Steering Committee (PDSC) in order to focus on the Policy Conference in November. Counties are encouraged to coordinate District meetings for the purposes of “Regional meeting” type reporting and Policy Day preparation.

Role of the Policy Development Steering Committee (PDSC)

The name Policy Development Steering Committee was changed to the Resolutions Committee and the group has been given responsibility to process and monitor all resolutions submitted.

The purpose of the Committee is to promote and support constructive communication between Ontario Pork's elected Board of Directors and the broader ownership by managing and monitoring the process for all resolutions submitted to Ontario Pork.

Interim resolutions process

The Board adopted the process for Interim Resolutions (resolutions submitted to the Board outside of the Annual General Meeting resolutions timelines) as recommended by the Policy Development Steering Committee (PDSC).

The process gives the PDSC the responsibility to handle all interim resolutions submitted to the Board. Upon receipt of a written resolution, the PDSC may elect to respond to the resolution directly or forward it for further comment/feedback (from staff, committees, Board, county associations, etc.) prior to drafting a response or may elect to direct the resolution to the Board or a committee for action/input prior to a response being drafted.

OnTrace Pilot Project

Ontario Pork will participate in the OnTrace pilot project by providing limited access to data. This premises registry project may be able to provide verification services for Ontario Pork’s traceability requirements now and in the future.

Competitive Factors Committee

Terms of Reference for an ad hoc Competitive Factors Committee were approved. The committee will identify opportunities and recommend strategies to improve the competitiveness of pig production for Ontario pork producers.

Steve Illick will be the chair and Phil Anwender is also appointed to the committee. If you would like more information on this committee please contact Marilyn Robbins at 519-767-4600 x610 or marilyn.robbins@ontariopork.on.ca.

Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO)

John Clement, John Kikkert and Paul Bootsma from the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario joined the Board meeting to discuss issues of mutual concern including the In-Transit Loss Account program, Maple Leaf closure, Market Renewal Strategy and Country of Origin Labeling.

Progressive Pork Producers (3P)

3P representatives Arnold Drung, Frank Devet, John Degroot and Leroy Van Ryswyck attended the August Board meeting for the purposes of discussing their resolution seeking exemption from Ontario Pork’s marketing authority. 3P made a request for a hearing to seek an exemption from the sales and logistics aspects of Ontario Pork’s authority. In response to that request, the Board has asked 3P to consider withdrawing it until the Strategic Planning process is completed.

Market Renewal Strategy (MRS)

The first phase of the MRS project (the research phase) is nearing completion.

The second phase involves the creation of a business plan which should be largely complete prior to the March 2008 Annual General Meeting.

Ontario Pork’s Market Renewal Strategy (MRS) project is focused on finding long-term solutions to maintain a successful and viable Ontario pork industry in the future. The extensive research currently underway and continuous risk mitigation efforts are preparing Ontario Pork to respond to current and upcoming market challenges.

REMINDER - Clean Water Act Local Committee Selection Process Underway

On July 3, 2007, the Clean Water Act was proclaimed and the regulations concerning the preparation of Source Protection Plans came into force.

The decisions made over the next number of months at the local Source Protection Committee level will influence the ground rules and regulatory framework for all livestock producers for years to come.

Livestock groups have worked with the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC) in an effort to influence the Source Protection nomination process and at the same time establish a fair, democratic and accountable election process for naming agricultural- sector representatives.

OFEC is holding general meetings to elect the agricultural-sector Source Protection Committee members in each Source Protection Region.

Please think about becoming a member or recommending someone you know to become a member of one of these committees.

The Southwest meeting dates follow:

All meetings start at 8pm, except Essex , which will start at 7:30pm.

October 1 – Essex Civic Center – Essex Source Protection Area

October 3 – Saugeen Conservation Authority – Saugeen, Grey Sauble, Northern Bruce Peninsula Source Protection Region *Registered Voters

October 4 – Ancaster Merritt Hall – Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Area

October 9 – Delaware Community Centre – Thames-Sydenham and Region Source Protection Region

October 15 – Vineland Research Station Rittenhouse Hall – Niagara Peninsula Source Protection Area

October 23 – Quality Hotel Woodstock - Lake Erie Source Protection Region

For directions, nomination forms or further details, contact
Martha Harris 1-800-668-3276; 519-821-8883;martha.harris@ofa.on.ca; or by fax 519-821-8810.