New Entrant Grower (NEG) Consultation

NEG program Policy Decision has been put in abeyance

The Board’s New Entrant Policy Committee (NEPC) reviewed the consultation survey input at an in-person meeting April 2, 2024, and provided comprehensive recommendations to the Board. The Board reviewed these recommendations and a summary of other input received through the consultation. One important result of the consultation is that it highlighted a key issue that affects the success of new entrants (and smaller growers): equality and transparency of access to quota (the means of production).  Thus, a key consideration for any new program must include a clear understanding of how quota access (and transparency of costs/availability) affects new and existing growers in the current marketplace. If there is a need to make policy changes, these should be considered prior to finalizing a new entrant grower program.

So, after extensive consideration, the Board made the decision to put the final policy and program decision for the *NEW* New Entrant Program in abeyance until the Board can complete a consultation on Quota Use and Access (QUAC) in BC’s chicken industry. Currently there is no centralized platform (quota exchange) for growers to transfer chicken quota in BC. Rather, quota is transferred privately through hatchery/processor and grower connections and word-of-mouth or advertising.

Prior to completion of the Board’s new strategic plan in Spring 2024, the Board was planning to consult on the question of quota access. The abeyance of an NEG program decision will provide the Board with the opportunity to review industry input on both fundamental policy areas in the context of its larger strategic plan objectives. The goal is to ensure that policy and program decisions will complement one another and align with the Board’s strategic goal of having up-to-date and progressive policies that facilitate an innovative and growing chicken industry in BC.

Please read the Board’s New Entrant Program Discussion Paper (posted below) for more details on the consultation and background. The Board will provide a full outline and timeline for the QUAC in the next few weeks, but we expect to launch the consultation in late September 2024. This will be announced in the BCCMB’s regular newsletter and posted to the BCCMB website.