CANADA’S NATIONAL FARMERS’ WEEKLY MAY 28, 2019

FEATURE—PARTY CENTRAL THE MPs love our farmers’ traditions on the Hill! Every year, egg and poultry farmers by poultry and egg farmers. This year, The guest of honour, former partnership, guests were pleased to organize events, meetings and informal distinguished guests took some time to Minister of Agriculture and learn more about Canadian chicken, meet and greets with elected officials talk with us about the value of supply Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, while tasting delicious chicken treats! FARMERS’ TIMES to talk about their contribution management in the agricultural sector. addressed attendees and reiterated FIFTH EDITION-ISSUE FIVE CANADA’S NATIONAL FARMERS’ WEEKLY MAY 28, 2019 to a strong agricultural sector in the government support for supply These events are not only a lot of fun Canada. They also always welcome Another anticipated event is Egg management. but are also great indicators of the the opportunity to share stories Farmers of Canada’s annual Eggscellent support MPs and Senators have for INSIGHT—INDUSTRY FACTS and discuss the benefits that supply Breakfast, held this year on February 6. Chicken Farmers of Canada hosted our supply-managed industries. Message from Minister Bibeau management offers to Canadians. Farmers from across the country met their first Industry Showcase in with MPs and Senators over breakfast November on Parliament Hill, sharing Canada’s poultry farmers On behalf of the , in southern and right across the to help Canada’s supply-managed industries support over welcome to everyone gathered on Sparks country, our dairy, poultry and egg industries grow and prosper. While each organization hosts made from local, fresh, high-quality the many aspects of the chicken sector Street in Ottawa to enjoy the world’s best contribute to jobs and economic growth in receptions and events for MPs and Canadian eggs. with attendees. From food safety, to chicken, turkey, eggs and dairy. What a great our cities and vibrant rural communities. Bon appétit! Senators, one of our favourite events is processing, to the Swimming Canada way to meet our outstanding producers, taste our Joint Annual Reception organized 127,500 delicious local food and maybe even take a The federal Government remains steadfast in selfie with a farmer! our support of a strong supply management system right across Canada. Under Budget jobs, contribute Thanks to Chicken Farmers of Canada, the 2019, we are investing up to $3.9 billion to Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, Egg help our chicken, egg and dairy producers. Farmers of Canada and Turkey Farmers of These investments will chart a path forward $9.7 billion Canada for once again hosting this celebration to help our farmers innovate and remain of Canadian food and the benefits of our competitive. And we continue to sit down supply management system. with farmers to address potential future to Canada’s GDP impacts of trade agreements and to build and deliver It’s no wonder consumers are turning to a bright future for our supply-managed Canadian poultry, egg and dairy products in industries. record numbers. The great food being served today was raised to the strictest standards of Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg producers are $3.1 billion food safety, animal welfare and environmental pillars of growth, job creation, and innovation sustainability, and it’s the product of world- – and of course providers of delicious food! The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau in tax revenues. class Canadian innovation. In my home riding Our Government will continue to work hard Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Egg Farmers of Canada’s CEO Tim Lambert poses with Senator Robert Black at their annual Eggcellent breakfast Representatives from the egg, chicken and dairy sectors pose event in February. alongside Quebec MP Luc Berthold at a reception in August. Representatives from the poultry sector and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture pose with Ambassador John Deep Ford of Guyana, Made for Canadians, by Canadians Chair of WTO farm trade talks. number is likely to keep rising as the chicken system, farmers like Tiffany and Jonathan do sector continues to grow. Tiffany Martinka, not have to rely on government subsidies to a young farmer in Saskatchewan, is among adjust to changing consumer demands. That those working hard every day to provide stability translates into a steady supply of Canadians with Canadian chicken, raised with food and stable prices for Canadians, while care to the highest standard of quality. “I also allowing farmers to innovate and invest in More than believe it’s important to provide Canadians their businesses. By carefully matching supply 4,500 with fresh chicken because as a consumer with demand, supply management ensures farm families work myself, I want to know where my food comes that there are neither shortages nor over- Senator Victor Oh runs into Allan Mulder and Chair Brian Bilkes from the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and Derek Janzen from! When I know my chicken is raised by production of chicken, which means a stable of the Chicken Farmers of Canada at the Joint Annual Reception in March together under supply Canadian farmers, I know it is a high-quality price that you can count on. product, grown right here by our farmers, management across and held to some of the highest standards in Millennials are the future and they are a every province and the world.” growing force when it comes to consumer Canadians rely on a steady supply of fresh demand. Farmers like Tiffany and Jonathan territory, to produce the food all year round. When they go to the As the sector grows, so does millennials’ taste are just one example of the future of grocery store, they see a multitude of choices in food. With all the new food trends and agriculture and its innovation towards fresh, local, high-quality on their shelves–halal chicken breasts, lactose diets, chicken remains a preferred healthy providing future generations with choices. food Canadians want. free milk, fresh Grade A eggs, grain-fed whole choice for Canadians, a staple in their diets. So next time you are at your local grocery turkeys. These options are just a few of the In order to keep up with these changes and store, think of young farmers like Tiffany and many choices Canadians have access to year demands, chicken farmers across Canada Jonathan who are proud to produce a quality round. However, sometimes Canadians forget have been adjusting in order to keep a steady chicken you can trust. how that food gets to their store shelves or supply of chicken available for Canadians at even their dinner table. Millennials represent their local store. For example, Jonathan Giret, Look for the Raised by A Canadian Farmer logo 27.5%1 of the Canadian population and every a millennial chicken farmer in Ontario, has where you shop to ensure you are purchasing fresh, Chicken Farmers of Canada Chair Benoît Fontaine chats with day, they consume fresh Canadian food. been working hard to provide Canadians with high-quality, Canadian chicken. Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Young egg farmers with former Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Millennials are often the ones demanding organic chicken. Alberta MP spins the Wheel of Chicken at the Chicken 1 https://www.nielsen.com/ca/en/insights/ as well as her Parliamentary Secretary Jean-Claude Poissant. Lawrence MacAulay. Farmers of Canada fall industry showcase. these options and yet, seem to have the biggest disconnect when it comes to knowing “After being accepted as a new [chicken news/2018/millennials-by-the-numbers- where their food comes from. farmer] entrant in Ontario, I started to look quick-facts.html for opportunities to improve and [provide 2 Based on data from the 2016 Census of When Canadians think of a farmer, the consumers with something they want]. I Agriculture conducted by Statistics Canada Thanks to the stability of automatic image that comes to mind is of an intended to shift to antibiotic free production older gentleman wearing overalls and a straw already, so to shift to organic production was hat on his tractor. But this couldn’t be further a perfect fit for my operation. Compared to supply management, more from the truth. In fact, some millennials may the initial investment to get into the sector, not know that their peers are the ones who modifying the barn to better meet consumers’ and more young farmers work hard to provide their generation with an demands seemed like a good option.” assortment of Canadian products. continue to build rewarding But how do farmers adjust so quickly and When it comes to Canadian chicken farming, rapidly to growing trends? Thanks to the careers in farming. 14% of farmers are millennials2 and that stability provided by the supply management

Former Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau meets with Canadian Hatching Egg Producers’ Saskatchewan MP tells egg farmers Lawrence MacAulay reminds Chicken Farmers of Chair Brian Bilkes alongside Egg Farmers of Canada’s Director Emmanuel Destrijker, Chicken Farmers Shawn Harman and Regan Sloboshan how much Canada Chair Benoît Fontaine how much he loves of Canada’s Chair Benoît Fontaine, and Turkey Farmers of Canada’s Executive Member Brian Ricker. she loves Canadian eggs. Canadian chicken.

Page 4 Page 1 CANADA’S NATIONAL FARMERS’ WEEKLY MAY 28, 2019 CANADA’S NATIONAL FARMERS’ WEEKLY MAY 28, 2019 Supply management’s contribution to a strong, rural Canada Bolstering rural economies Turkey farming, sustained across the country from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, Canada’s rural communities,” explains Roger farmers across the country who are adopting is part of the Canadian rural fabric. More than five hundred turkey farmers generate Pelissero, Chair of Egg Farmers of Canada. new technology and growing their farms with farm cash receipts of approximately 400 million dollars, supporting local businesses “Our farmers make a significant contribution sustainability at the heart of their operations. and communities. In bolstering rural economies across the country, according to to Canada’s food system, support jobs and other businesses in rural communities, and feed The economic stability provided by supply recent work from Kevin Greer Market Analysis and Consulting Inc., these farmers urban consumers’ appetite for locally produced management also makes it possible for underpin 14,000 jobs across the sector and are the starting point for a 1.1 billion dollars’ food.” Canadian egg farmers to engage in activities contribution to Canada’s GDP and total economic activity exceeding above and beyond the day-to-day operations 3.0 billion dollars. The study analyzed six agricultural sectors: eggs, of their business. This includes frequent and chicken, dairy, hogs, beef and oilseeds/grains. As the meaningful participation in their communities, results show, supply-managed farms (egg, chicken as well as larger Egg Farmers of Canada Canada’s turkey farmers are proud to be part of this dynamic portion of a thriving and dairy) punch above their weight when it comes projects that contribute to both national and Canadian farm community. to investing in communities, creating jobs and international initiatives, like donating millions contributing to Canada’s GDP. In fact, it found that of eggs to the Breakfast Club of Canada supply-managed farms generated an average of 1.78 and Food Banks Canada, and supporting jobs per farm from on-farm investments in 2015. burgeoning farmers in Africa by sharing their Regulating production practices skills and expertise to produce nutritious eggs. These benefits are found across rural Canada’s turkey farmers have established on-farm assurance programs so Canadians communities. “In 2015, we estimate that farm Supply management is a Canadian success know that food produced on our farms is meeting food safety and animal care investments in [these] six important agricultural story. It is important to rural communities, standards that are the most up-to-date practices available, informed by science and sectors generated directly 43,700 equivalent full- the Canadian economy and the survival of the time jobs,” note the researchers. “When taking family farm. Canadians support our system based on the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Hatching Eggs, Breeders, into account the indirect and induced impacts of of supply management and it is important Chickens and Turkeys (2016), developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council, those investments, the total impact on Canadian to ensure its strength and continuity. As the which is a multi-stakeholder body representing welfare experts, researchers and farmers, jobs increases to 88,700 (full-time equivalent) research shows, supply management ensures as well as other livestock handlers. jobs.” that Canada’s rural communities remain strong, vibrant and central to our national economy. The researchers add that jobs created in rural Our on-farm food safety programs have passed technical review by the Canadian Food regions with a small population base have a huge Inspection Agency, and recognized accordingly. These programs govern the way we You’ll find thousands of farms in towns and Bergeron, PhD, are researchers at Université impact in those regions—an impact far greater care for and handle our birds. villages across Canada, building Canada’s Laval, and have recently conducted a study on than most people realize. For example, 10 jobs food sovereignty and feeding generations of how Canada’s system of supply management created in Quebec’s Lower St. Lawrence region Canadians. The impact of these farms are supports rural economies across the country. have the same economic impact as 240 jobs often unseen, especially in urban Canada— The study finds that farms under this system created in Montreal. Protecting the environment yet their contributions to the vibrancy of our make significant contributions per-farm when communities and to the Canadian economy it comes to investing in communities, creating This study supports earlier research showing that Supply-managed farms produce only what is required and that translates into less are far-reaching. jobs and contributing to Canada’s GDP. the stability of the Canadian system of supply waste, preserved resources and sustainable farm environments. In fact, environmental management creates a favourable environment for assessments show we are having a significantly reduced impact on our natural resources Egg Industry Economic Research Chair “Supply-managed farms make vital farmers to make long-term investments. These Maurice Doyon, PhD and Stéphane contributions to the health and stability of investments are consistently being made by egg compared to 50 years ago. For example, it takes only 7% more feed to produce 43% more turkey than it did in 1977. Without question, this is a reduced environmental footprint of Canada’s production supply chain.

supply of quality broiler hatching eggs Food safety, biosecurity and responsible health and welfare, pathogen reduction, How is this possible? We produce more with less by investing in and adopting the A prosperous to Canadian hatcheries while providing use of antibiotics are all prioritized in our alternatives to antibiotics, and much latest in sustainable practices, including better manure management, more efficient food safety throughout the entire national and mandatory on-farm food more. We actively seek out and encourage feed production and improved energy usage. supply chain and upholding high animal safety program. Farmers are regularly research that will help our farmers to Canadian poultry welfare standards. By working closely audited, and the program is reviewed by continuously better their practices and Furthermore, our farms are inspected and audited to ensure they are meeting those with our hatcheries, broiler farmers and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency promote innovation in a flourishing program requirements. processors, we contribute to providing (CFIA). We also update the program industry. sector, enabled safe, healthy and affordable protein regularly. In 2019 for example, new choices to meet Canadian consumer’s requirements to improve egg quality and Through supply management, our by a strong and needs. adapt to a reduction in antimicrobial use farmers have the predictability needed to Building a foundation for the future have been brought in and will be part of fund investments that support continuous In 2018, CHEP’s member provinces all audits. improvement in production. It also Supply management: By investing in farm equipment, new technology and science-based production profitable broiler produced more than 800 million broiler enables us to maintain certified and practices and processes, Canada’s turkey farmers are investing in the future: the hatching eggs worth close to $350 Hatching egg producers are highly national programs that verify our farmers future of our farms, the future of rural Canada. We believe a strong rural Canada million. The broiler hatching egg industry committed to the humane and respectful are meeting the high expectations of the farmers producing food makes Canada stronger as a nation. We are providing long-term positive impacts that hatching egg in Canada alone supports over 4,900 treatment of all animals in their care. Our value chain partners and the public. This keep rural communities strong and vibrant and places where young people want to direct and indirect jobs. In conjunction Animal Care Program is also a mandatory system has supported us to go beyond stay to work, play and raise their families. with other egg and poultry on-farm program that was developed minimum government requirements and in Canada for Canadians industry supply-managed partners, we are based on a Code of Practice jointly to implement mandatory food safety and Supply-managed farms are family farms, and our commitment to Canada–to you– important contributors to rural developed by agricultural organizations animal care assurance programs. Without remains. We will continue to farm right here in Canada so the needs of Canadians for economies and communities. Our and animal welfare organizations with supply management, we would not be Canada’s poultry and egg farmers know that you want Canadian-produced food. high-quality and nutritious food are met. And we will do so by adopting the most up- broiler hatching eggs supply more than the support of governments. The national this far ahead as an industry, nor such Whether we are ensuring our birds’ health and welfare, delivering eggs to stores 2,200 chicken farmers across Canada program is currently being launched a strong contributor to Canada’s and restaurants or purchasing poultry feed and other supplies, you tell us that you to-date production practices that promote food safety, animal care and environmental with day-old chicks that are raised to across all member provinces and is rural sustainability. appreciate what we do every day to produce food right here in Canada for Canadians. sustainability. meet Canadians’ strong preference for expected to be fully implemented by the Thank you for this tremendous show of support. Canadian grown chicken. end of 2019. Just like our commitment to food safety, our Animal Care Program While we farm because we love it, the words of encouragement we get from our The stability provided by supply includes audits at all farms and an customers and other Canadians make even the most difficult jobs enjoyable–yes management allows CHEP to provide overarching third-party audit for the full even through those midnight barn checks during ice storms and those oft-cold a dependable and regular supply to program is now in development to be morning treks through snow drifts to make sure the chickens and turkeys are dry hatcheries. It also positions our farmers implemented in the following year. to invest in research and continued and warm. Canadian Hatching Egg Producers improvement in productivity, egg quality, CHEP has also developed training (CHEP) are proud to produce bird health, bird welfare and food safety. materials for farm workers in our Canada’s poultry and egg farms are supply-managed and, because of that, we are high-quality broiler hatching eggs to Our farmers work around the clock to industry to support worker safety, animal able to fill the demand for our products in all regions of the country. We do this by meet the needs of the chicken industry supply the products that Canadians want care and food safety outcomes and good monitoring demand requirements for turkey, chicken and eggs, and then we go about and contribute to a steady supply of most, and we are continually innovating employment practices. CHEP is proud to our daily on-farm routines to produce what is required and to do so responsibly. safe, high-quality and nutritious chicken to improve our performance. support research at leading universities Although ensuring Canadians get home-grown food in the amounts they want is to Canadian consumers and the food on environmental issues, broiler breeder service industry. Our 243 farmers from a major benefit of supply management, this unique production and marketing across Canada ensure a dependable system offers so much more.

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