A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
The consultation invites comment from stakeholders on whether the board’s powers are “adequate and appropriate” and if there should be any changes or additional powers granted to the marketing board, or significant industry issues that deserve the board’s attention.
Key issues include those that could be addressed under the board’s mandate to “promote, regulate and control in any and all respects the production, transportation, packing, storage and marketing” of milk in BC.
During the board’s spring producer meetings, producers were reminded that the marketing board is not allowed to invest in initiatives that support the processing sector, a key point in BC FIRB’s concerns regarding BC’s involvement in the Dairy Innovation West plant being built in Blackfalds, Alberta, an initiative of the Western Milk Pool.
While marketing boards in the other three Western provinces incorporate their respective producer organizations, marketing boards and producer associations are separate in BC.
However, the potential issues could also include board governance and red tape that make it harder for producers to develop their businesses.
Transportation costs and the rules governing shipments have been among the top concerns of many producers and are likely to feature in the feedback.
“If there are rules that frustrate you or get in the way of innovation, or just seem outdated, now is the time to flag it for a closer look,” marketing board vice-chair Tom Hoogendoorn encouraged producers in Nanaimo this month. “We will be gathering input from now till the end of May, and the results will be sent to FIRB and the Minister of Agriculture.”
Submissions to the consultation are due May 31, and may be sent to info@bcmilk.com.
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