In 2005, the B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) completed a supervisory review focused on specialty production and new entrants within B.C.’s supply-managed sectors.
What was decided
On September 1, 2005, BCFIRB issued binding directions to all supply-managed regulated marketing boards and commissions in B.C. They were directed to develop or update their programs to:
- Support specialty market development
- Assist the entry of new producers
Supply-managed boards had to submit their new orders to BCFIRB for approval. BCFIRB committed to:
- Monitoring how boards implement these programs
- Reviewing program performance after three years
Cover Letter to Marketing Boards and Commissions (PDF, 31KB)
Decision on specialty market and new entrant submissions (PDF, 1.1MB)
Goals of the review
This review aimed to develop policies and principles that:
- Supported and promoted specialty markets and new entrants in the supply management system
- Aligned with the Ministry of Agriculture’s Regulated Marketing Economic Policy – July 2004 (PDF, 40KB)
What has changed since the review
Since the 2005 Specialty Review, supply-managed production has changed considerably for producers and other value-chain partners like processors and retailers:
- Some commodities (like dairy, eggs and chicken) have seen significant growth and diversification
- Other commodities (like turkey) face a more challenging market environment
- Retail and processor consolidation continues, with associated pressures on market share
- Public demands are also shifting rapidly, with increased interest in how food is produced and where it comes from
Since 2005, boards have proposed changes to BCFIRB’s quota transfer assessment directions.
BCFIRB approved some of the requested changes:
- Some apply across all commodities (for example, establishing family transfer assessment exemptions)
- Some are sector-specific (for example, extension of transfer assessment exemptions to nieces, nephews and grandchildren in the dairy sector)
Timeline of the review process
The review took place over two years from 2003 to 2005. It included consultation with the five supply-managed boards, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and other interest holders.
Review initiated by BCFIRB
2003 – BCFIRB initiated a review of specialty production and marketing across B.C.’s regulated marketing system
Provincial policy released on regulated marketing
July 2004 – The B.C. government published the Regulated Marketing Economic Policy (PDF, 40KB), emphasizing public interest, consumer responsiveness, and fair access for new producers
Proposed policy principles released; review paused for coordination
August 2004 – BCFIRB published proposed policy principles for specialty production and paused the review to allow for further policy coordination
Policy framework released and review resumed
January 2005 – The Ministry of Agriculture issued a new policy framework for specialty products in regulated sectors. BCFIRB resumed the review and provided updated guidance to supply-managed boards
Board proposals submitted for feedback
April/May 2005 – Supply-managed boards submitted proposals for specialty and new entrant programs, developed in consultation with industry and interest holders
Documents related to the review
These documents show what happened during the supervisory review. They include BCFIRB’s decision, supply-managed boards’ proposals and background information.