GRANBY, QC, Feb. 26, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Maple Industry Council (MIC), whose members buy and process 85% of Quebec's maple syrup production, recommends setting up a roundtable to adequately assess the 21 measures proposed by Mr. Florent Gagné in his report "For a strong and competitive maple industry" (Pour une industrie acéricole forte et compétitive). The MIC considers that the report highlighted certain realities facing the industry's key players, where the idea arose, to regroup at the same table, representatives from the Fédération des producteurs acéricoles du Québec (Federation), the MIC and from the ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec. If required, collective marketing and market experts could be called upon.
It should be noted that consultation began a few years ago. In September 2014, the Forest Lavoie Conseil firm released a study pertaining to the development of maple syrup production in North America (Étude sur le contexte de développement de l'acériculture en Amérique du Nord). The study was commissioned jointly by the Federation and the MIC. The parties then agreed to implement the plan of action resulting from the findings of this study and the work is still ongoing. Many of those findings are consistent with those of the Gagné Report, including the effectiveness of the system, the effect of the price based on supply and demand, the dynamic management of the reserve, the stakeholder consultation, the development of markets and the quality of the products. Therefore, we must react now and take advantage of the current sales growth.
MIC administrators have also unanimously resolved that the quota system should remain in place to ensure the stability on the markets, but that reforms are necessary to enable buyers to adequately market maple products and meet increasing customers' requirements. To achieve this, authorized buyers need quality syrup in sufficient quantities for each category, and with a competitive purchasing price set according to economic indicators.
At the same time, the MIC hopes that, following the public hearing scheduled for March 22, the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec diligently renders its decision permitting the Federation to increase the quota sufficiently to meet the needs and this as early as 2017.
Finally, the strategic reserve, which has demonstrated its role as a market supply regulator since its implementation, must remain in place, be adequately funded by the Governments and managed so as to achieve the industry's ultimate objectives: remain the worldwide leader of the maple industry, increase Quebec's market share and maintain the brand image of Quebec maple products, here and abroad.
The Maple Industry Council (MIC) is affiliated with the Conseil de la transformation alimentaire du Québec (CTAQ). The MIC represents the more than 65 authorized maple syrup buyers, companies which mainly develop and produce their products and sell them on both domestic and foreign markets. MIC's mission is to foster the smooth marketing of maple syrup and improve the entire industry's competitiveness. http://www.conseiltac.com/cie.html
SOURCE Conseil de l''industrie de l''érable (CIE)
Daniel Dufour, General Manager, MIC (450-349-1521 Ext. 204)
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