SAINT-FRANÇOIS-DE-MADAWASKA, QC,
Jan. 23
/CNW Telbec/ - Following the Ministerial Order forcing
New Brunswick
producers to process their live chicken at Nadeau
Maple Lodge
, Westco submitted yesterday a business proposal to Nadeau that will temporarily provide for the processing of its
New Brunswick
chicken at Nadeau Maple Lodge's plant in Saint-François.
Westco continues to consider the
New Brunswick
government's decision to be invalid and unconstitutional, and is exploring all available recourses against it. However, in the meantime, Westco's proposal would provide for the processing of its chickens at Nadeau's abattoir in Saint-François as long as the Ministerial Order is in effect on the understanding that the chicken processed under this agreement would be returned to Westco to be marketed under its Sunnymel partnership.
The Westco proposal would thereby enable Minister Ouellette to meet the main objectives of the Order, which is to maintain employment levels in chicken processing in
New Brunswick
.
So-called "contract-kill" arrangements like Westco's proposal are common practice in the chicken industry and Nadeau
Maple Lodge
has indeed already taken part in such agreements in the past. The terms of Westco's proposal to have its chickens processed at Nadeau
Maple Lodge
echo this practice and Nadeau should, therefore, have no problems accepting them.
"We are proposing a "contract-kill" contract that will enable Nadeau to keep processing jobs at its Saint-François plant and even surpass its historical volumes. We have attempted several times since the summer of 2009 to enter into an agreement with Nadeau
Maple Lodge
to find a temporary solution until our new abattoir is built. However, they have always refused our proposals as a whole, even though these proposals would have allowed them to continue to process Westco chickens. We hope that, this time, Nadeau
Maple Lodge
will be open and ready to enable us to comply with the Ministerial Order", said Westco CEO
Thomas Soucy
.
Westco informed Minister Ouellette of its proposal. Westco added that the Minister might be required to intervene if Nadeau refuses the reasonable and standard conditions outlined by Westco in its offer and which would allow it to implement the government's decision.
About Westco
Groupe Westco inc. is a
New Brunswick
company with its head office in Saint-François-de-Madawaska. The result of a common vision for expansion by many poultry producers, the company has become a model of success and profitability. Westco owns its own hatcheries, breeding farms, and shipping companies, and is also one of the largest poultry production organizations in
Canada
. The company has a strong commitment to the community, and sponsors several social programs and contributes to fund-raising initiatives in its region.
À propos d'Olymel s.e.c.
Olymel l.p. is a leader in the slaughtering, processing and distribution of pork and poultry meat products in
Canada
, with facilities in Québec, Ontario, and Alberta. The company employs more than 10,000 persons and exports nearly half of its production, mainly to the
United States
,
Japan
and
Australia
, as well as some sixty other countries. Its sales stood at
$2.5 billion
this year, with a slaughtering and processing capacity of 160,000 hogs and 1.6 million birds every week. The company markets its products mainly under the Olymel, Lafleur, and Flamingo brands.
For further information: Olymel s.e.c: Richard Vigneault, Communications, (514) 497-1385, (450) 771-0400; Westco Group Inc.: Martin Daraiche, Senior Consultant, Le Cabinet de relations publiques NATIONAL, (418) 648-1233, ext. 230, Cell: (418) 571-8528
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