The Act respecting the marketing of agricultural, food and fish products gives producers collective powers so they can organize the marketing of their products to make it more orderly and efficient.

Producers who wish to make use of these provisions must adopt a joint plan (through a referendum process) and define, together, the specific powers needed to organize their marketing efficiently.

The Act gives the Federation (FPBQ) the power to negotiate all cattle marketing conditions on behalf of producers, as well as regulate production and joint marketing conditions. The FPBQ exercises its powers under the supervision of the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec.

The Régie must act so as to ensure the proper use of the tools and powers the Act confers on producers, as well as the balance needed so the marketing system serves not only the interests of the various stakeholders, but also those of consumers and the general public.

The Act respecting the marketing of agricultural, food and fish products requires the Régie to examine, every five years, all actions taken under the joint plans. At the March 2006 public hearings, the FPBQ presented its marketing initiatives for the five production sectors under its responsibility. This was the third periodic review since implementation of the joint plan; the previous one was in March 2000.

The FPBQ is proud of this five-year report, which confirms the quality of its work and the soundness of its choices and the directions taken. The Federation intends to pursue its mission in the same spirit of partnership and joint action with producers that has always been its driving force.

Powers under the joint plan
Under the Act respecting the marketing of agricultural, food and fish products, each producer group determines the powers of its joint plan. Cattle producers established the following parameters: By-laws Creation of sales agencies, payment of board fees and other contributions. Negociations Sales conditions, payment terms, payment guarantee, establishment of product quality standards and more. Developement Creation of advertising and research funds and dissemination of information on markets and more.

The road travelled since 1982

Thanks to "strength in numbers," the Plan conjoint des producteurs de bovins was implemented in 1982, following a referendum consultation among 28,002 producers and approved by a strong majority (78% of voters).

Beef and veal farmers, as well as dairy producers, collectively adopted the means to improve their production and sales conditions and thus strengthen their bargaining power with various industry stakeholders.

A quarter century of actions and innovations later, besides the many advances, it is the involvement of people that stands out. It is their commitment that assures consumers of a beef and veal product that meets their highest expectations.