With three years under our belt as a regional association, we have been working with provincial Milk Boards, with governments at all levels and with other dairy industry associations to give voice to the collective interests and views of our members. This has included active participation with, and support to, the federal government in the negotiation of the dairy-specific provisions of major international trade agreements, working with the Canadian Dairy Commission to develop and refine policy responses to a changing marketplace and pursuing industry-wide solutions to regional issues through collaboration with the Western Milk Pool. This newsletter will provide you with highlights from industry activities, news that affects dairy processors, feature articles on our members, and more. Feedback and suggestions for future topics are always welcomed by our editor, whose contact information is provided below. We plan to publish our newsletter bimonthly, so look for our next issue in July. Getting Ready for Implementation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Trade Agreement On April 2, 2020, Canada notified the United States and Mexico of the completion of its domestic ratification process with respect to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). With this action, Canada became the first country to provide its notification under the trade agreement. Mexico followed shortly thereafter. Will British Columbia Include Milk Containers in its Plastics Strategy? British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy completed its consultation on the proposed Plastics Action Plan at the end of September. Among the proposals British Columbians were asked to comment on, is the removal of an exemption for used milk containers from the province's deposit/refund system, as one measure to increase recycling rates. In addition, input was sought on proposals to ban certain single-use plastic products and to set minimum recycled-content requirements for plastic packaging. A formal announcement is expected this spring. Dairy Innovation WestOn November 20, 2019 the Western Milk Pool announced the creation of Dairy Innovation West (DIW), a new venture that will own a raw milk concentrating plant in Alberta. The new facility will have the capacity to accommodate up to 300 million litres per year, producing concentrated milk components for utilization throughout western Canada. DIW is owned by the four western Milk Boards and will be operated by Vitalus Nutrition Inc. For more information, click here. Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) gets a new ChairFederal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has named Bob Ingratta as the commission’s chairperson for a term ending Dec. 16, 2021, replacing Alistair Johnston. Mr. Ingratta worked in Ottawa for six years (2001-07) as vice-president for regulatory and international affairs with Monsanto Canada, prior to joining the BC Milk Marketing Board as CEO in 2011, where he served until 2017. Minister Bibeau also reappointed Jennifer Hayes for a three-year term as CDC commissioner. Ms. Hayes, first named as a commissioner in 2017, is a dairy and beef producer at Shigawake in Quebec’s Gaspe region and has served as the CDC’s Acting Chair since August 2019. Comprehensive Review of the Allocation and Administration of Tariff Rate Quotas for Dairy, Poultry and Egg Products – Phase IIOn May 10, 2019, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) launched the first phase of the comprehensive review of the allocation and administration of Canada’s tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for dairy, poultry and egg products. The first phase of consultations included provincial and territorial governments and covered the entire range of industry stakeholders and key trading partners, which resulted in GAC receiving approximately 200 submissions and holding over 60 meetings with stakeholders... Notice to Plan B Butter Manufacturers from the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) Regarding Repurchase Date of Plan B ButterOn February 12, 2019 the Canadian Dairy Commission announced that Plan B Butter manufactured on or after January 1, 2020 will retain the repurchasing rule that was applicable at the end of 2019 which allows this product to remain in CDC’s inventory for a maximum of one (1) year from the date of production of each lot. In addition, Plan B will be open for the 25 kilos butter format (up to a maximum of 1,500 tons). Companies requiring further information may contact Virginie Robert, Chief, Commercial Operations and Marketing at the CDC at (613) 222-8344. Storage Assistance for Cheese ProgramAs decided at a recent CMSMC meeting, the CDC re-established the Storage Assistance for Cheese Program. The Program Guide can be found here: Storage Assistance for Cheese January 2020.pdf Food Processing Skills Canada Labour Market Information SurveyFood Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) is a not-for-profit workforce development and skills organization specifically focused on Canada's food and beverage manufacturing industries. FPSC has launched its latest Labour Market Information survey, which will provide vital information on workforce and skills requirements in the food processing sector, including information specific to the dairy industry. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey using the following links: 2020foodprocessorsurvey.ca (English); sondage2020destransformateursdesaliments.ca (French) The results of the LMI survey will be helpful in your long-term human resources and workforce planning. MEMBER PROFILE: Foothills CreameryFoothills Creamery has been proudly making butter and ice cream products since 1969. Over its proud 50-year history, this Calgary-based family business has grown and evolved and has remained at the forefront of the latest and greatest flavours, new trends and changing demands among butter and dessert lovers of all ages. Foothills Creamery sources local cream, and proudly employs nearly 70 people... SAVE THE DATES!The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation or postponement of events and gatherings throughout the world. This is equally true of the Canadian dairy industry. We had been planning to profile several upcoming events and professional development opportunities for our members but as of now all of these events have been postponed. Please stay tuned for updates. IDF International Cheese Science & Technology Symposium – postponed until 2021 WDC 2020 Golf tournament – postponed Alberta Pasteurizer Operator Licensing course – postponed until further notice Industry Forums One of WDC’s key roles is to provide processor representation at industry forums and mandated advisory committees such as the Milk Industry Advisory Committee (MIAC) and the Specialty Production Advisory Committee (SPAC) in BC, the Dairy Advisory Committee (DAC) in Alberta and the Canadian Dairy Commission’s Processor Advisory Committee (PAC). These committees are an essential link between dairy processors and the various policymaking and regulatory authorities that govern processors’ businesses, providing opportunities to exchange information and resolve policy issues as they arise. In future editions of this newsletter, we’ll explain the work of these committees in greater detail. Mandate of the Regional Advisory CommitteesOne way to have greater input into industry affairs is to participate in Western Dairy Council’s Regional Advisory Committees. Did you know that there are three Regional Advisory Committees (RAC) within WDC? The British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan RACs meet on an ongoing basis to bring forward the perspectives and concerns of member companies within their respective jurisdictions, and to provide the Board with provincial input into regional and national issues where appropriate. If members have issues or topics they want to raise with the WDC Board, provincial Marketing Boards or the Western Milk Pool, they can go through their local RAC. To contact a specific RAC, email [email protected]. Contact our editor: Sarah Cotton Communications Western Dairy Council [email protected] AuthorWestern Dairy Council Members |
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