EFAO Policy
Resolution on chicken quota exemption passed at EFAO AGM

• Whereas inspectors from the Chicken Farmers of Ontario have recently visited the farms of several EFAO members in the western region and insisted they either buy quota, quit raising chickens or face legal action and,
  
  
• Whereas it is against the law to sell any chicken without quota in Ontario and,
  
  
• Whereas we support the original intent of supply management which was to supply the local market and provide a fair price to family farms and,
  
  
• Whereas the present price of chicken quota and minimum quota requirements are out of reach of young farmers or family farms wishing to diversify with a small, seasonal flock of chickens, and
  
  
• Whereas a growing number of consumers want to buy chicken, and other meat and produce, direct from farmers they know and trust and,
  
  
• Whereas many ecological farms would like to raise a small number of birds, as part of a mixed, family farm operation, to sell direct to consumers, and
  
  
• Whereas raising a few birds is an excellent way for youth to begin their own part-time farm enterprise and to keep them interested in farming, and
  
  
• Whereas direct marketing and diversification are one way for mixed, ecological and family farms to survive,

Therefore be it resolved that the EFAO encourage the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) and the government to find a way to create a quota exemption for Ontario farmers, similar to the one in Alberta which allows farmers to raise a maximum of 2000 chickens per calendar year which can only be sold direct to consumers from the farm or from a farmers' market stall. Specific actions to include a letter from the EFAO executive to the CFO, minister of agriculture and agriculture critics and a widely distributed press release outlining our position and request. Subsequent actions to be determined by the EFAO board and regional committees.