Manitoba chicken levy set at 2.20 cents

Summary#

The Order Amending the Canadian Chicken Marketing Levies Order: SOR/2020-12 sets the levy rate that Manitoba chicken producers must pay when they market chicken across provincial borders or export. It fixes the Manitoba levy at 2.20 cents and came into force on January 19, 2020. The order was made by Chicken Farmers of Canada and was registered on January 17, 2020 and published in the Canada Gazette on February 5, 2020.

What it does#

• Replaces part of the Canadian Chicken Marketing Levies Order to set the levy rate for the province of Manitoba at 2.20 cents.
• States the change takes effect on January 19, 2020.
• Implements a change made by Chicken Farmers of Canada under its marketing-plan authority (the Gazette item notes the action is tied to the federal Farm Products Agencies Act).

Who's affected#

• Primarily chicken producers in Manitoba who are involved in interprovincial sales or exports of chicken.
• The Chicken Farmers of Canada organization, which administers and collects the levy, will implement the change.
• It is unclear from the notice if processors, distributors or retailers see direct effects; the text specifically names producers as the parties who pay the levy.

Why it matters#

• The levy adds a small, fixed charge of 2.20 cents tied to certain out-of-province or export sales. That can increase costs for Manitoba producers who ship outside the province.
• Money raised by the levy is intended to support national marketing activities run by Chicken Farmers of Canada, which can affect how Canadian chicken is promoted at home and abroad.
• The Gazette notice does not explain the exact unit the 2.20 cents applies to (for example, per kilogram or per bird), so the practical impact per shipment is not stated in the item.