Mayor no chicken in cage-free debate
http://www.abbynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=38&cat=23&id=1068544&more=0
By JOE MILLICAN
Abbotsford News
Sep 20 2007
Abbotsford Mayor George Ferguson is adamant that he won't be walking on
eggshells when he speaks against a motion he believes could damage a
sector of the local farming industry.
At the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) conference in Vancouver next
week, according to Ferguson, cities will discuss a resolution forwarded
by Whistler that calls for B.C. residents to eat only cage-free eggs.
If that motion is approved, the UBCM could then potentially lobby the
provincial government on behalf of municipalities to introduce official
legislation to that effect.
A full elimination of cages in favour of free range hens, Ferguson said,
would require an additional 4,000 acres in Abbotsford alone. It is a
prospect that fails to entice the mayor, who said he will speak against
the Whistler motion at the conference.
"They (proponents of the plan) want them running loose," he told the
Abbotsford News. "It would have quite an affect on the poultry deal here
in Abbotsford."
Ferguson was supported in his stance by Abbotsford city councillors on
Monday.
At council's regular meeting in Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, Coun.
Dave Loewen not only asked where the additional land would come from,
but also said shoppers would likely cross the border into the U.S. to
buy cheaper eggs if the changes were implemented.
Coun. Lynne Harris said it is important for the city to support its egg
farmers.
"They contribute significantly to the egg production in the province and
the capabilities of certain farmers to allow free range is limited," she
said.
"Food production is a huge industry and I believe the farmers in our
area do their best to a provide a high quality product. We should
continue to offer choice."
Coun. Christine Caldwell was concerned over a potential increased risk
for avian flu if more birds were out of their cages and not contained.
To that, Ferguson said the only way to stop avian flu from spreading
from birds flying overhead would be to put a canopy over a farmer's free
range operation.
"Our poultry operations are well managed and well looked after," he added.
Referring to a letter sent to Ferguson by B.C. Egg Marketing Board
chairman David Taylor on Sept. 11, Coun. Moe Gill stressed that the
board is not opposed to people eating eggs produced by caged chickens.
"It's a choice and it's an open market, and that's for the public to
make their decision," he said.
In his letter to Ferguson, Taylor said he was keen to apply "some
perspective" to the debate.
Acknowledging that some municipalities "are being approached to adopt
resolutions encouraging citizens and businesses to choose only cage-free
eggs," Taylor said other cities have every right to respond.
"As mayor of a municipality in the Fraser Valley Regional District, you
may view this as an opportunity to engage your urban colleagues about
the potential negative ramifications such decisions can have on
neighbouring, agriculture-based municipalities such as Abbotsford," he said.
Taylor said there has been a switch in trends in recent years. Since
2001, he explained that free run egg production has increased by 34 per
cent, free range has increased by 22.5 per cent and free range organic
has increased by 279 per cent.
That being said, Taylor pointed out that 88 per cent of B.C.'s total egg
production is from hens housed in cages, while 12 per cent is from
either free run or free range hens.
"Clearly, B.C. egg farmers respond to market demand and provide a wide
choice of eggs," Taylor said.
"Encouraging only the consumption of free run or free range eggs
contradicts the principle of 'free choice' in the marketplace.
"We question, therefore, why certain urban municipalities feel the need
to direct or confine consumer and business options to specific egg types
in an environment where choices are already open to everyone."