For immediate release
December 5, 2007

Barrett welcomes chicken farmers to Queen’s Park
PC Ag. Critic highlights importance of supply management

Queen’s Park—MPP Toby Barrett recognized “chicken day” at the Ontario Legislature today as he rose to welcome farmers and members of the Chicken Farmers of Ontario to Queen’s Park.

After announcing the poultry producers the PC Agriculture Critic went on to explain to members the issues facing farmers and industry alike.

“For Ontario’s 1,100 broiler producers, trade issues have not gone, and will not go, away,” warned Barrett. “Canada needs to be able to negotiate a reasonable, sensitive product category at the WTO, one which will give us enough room to include all supply-managed products while maintaining current over-quota tariffs and preventing any increase in quota access.”

The Haldimand-Norfolk MPP then outlined the importance of supporting the supply management system.

“As MPPs we must all continue the job of helping to help others to understand the economic benefits of supply management - I say this as we used to raise broilers before supply management and we paid the price,” Barrett commented. “The three-legged stool of supply management sustains farm country: Effective import controls, production controls and the ability to set the price.”

Barrett’s statement followed a morning meeting with 7 members of the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, where they highlighted the serious issue facing poultry producers across the province.

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at:
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629