In a recent press release, duBreton denounces the decision of Éleveurs de Porcs du Québec (ÉPQ), a specialized federation of the UPA, to refuse to hold a referendum to amend the Joint Plan of Quebec Pork Producers, despite recent decisions by the agricultural tribunal of the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (the “Régie”).
The company released the following statement:
Let’s recall the facts: On November 21, 2024, the Régie ordered Aliments Breton and Viandes du Breton to file a draft regulation amending the act respecting the marketing of agricultural, food and fish products, and required the ÉPQ to prepare a draft referendum process on the matter. The Régie set a deadline of February 28th, 2025, for the filing of these documents.
On December 17, 2024, the ÉPQ filed an application for judicial review to contest these orders. According to the ÉPQ, only marketing boards have the authority to request an amendment to a joint plan. The ÉPQ stated that such a move could be: “a dangerous precedent for potential chaos.”
On January 14th, 2025, ÉPQ asked the Régie to postpone the deadline to February 28th, 2025. This request was rejected on February 27th. On March 3, 2025, the ÉPQ declared that it would not comply with the Régie's order unless it was homologated by the Superior Court.
“It is unacceptable that the Éleveurs de Porcs du Québec union refuses to grant its members this fundamental right of consultation. This is further proof that our agricultural monopolies need to be reformed,” says Vincent Breton, President of duBreton.
