In addition to soon being able to eat chicken slaughtered directly on the farm, Quebecers will have access to more eggs from small farms and food made from raw goat, sheep and buffalo milk. It is with a view to diversifying and updating Quebec’s agricultural offer that the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), André Lamontagne, announces these very concrete actions.
Posted at 8:00 a.m.
We will not see 50,000 more laying hens in production overnight, in a multitude of small-scale farms, but this is the possibility offered by this opening of the MAPAQ and the Fédération des producteurs d’œufs du Québec (FPOQ).
Until now, artisanal breeders were only entitled to 99 layers outside the supply management system. The FPOQ’s egg producer start-up assistance program, which has been in place since 2018, made it possible to allocate a maximum of five user rights annually for up to 500 layers. As of the next call for projects, which should take place towards the end of fall 2022, this right of use will be extended to all those who request it. The MAPAQ and the FPOQ project in the medium term a hundred potential candidates, hence the figure of 50,000 more laying hens on the margins of the industrial system.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Small-scale farms will be able to market cooked products made from raw goat’s, sheep’s and buffalo’s milk, as part of a pilot project.
Producers will have to comply with the production standards of the specifications for the production of small-scale table eggs developed by a working group composed of producers, veterinarians and agronomists, among others, coordinated by the Reference Center in agriculture and agri-food in Quebec.
The improved program provides many support services for small artisans, assures us Jean Bernard Marchand, deputy chief of staff to Minister Lamontagne. Among other things, there will be follow-up on the farm and screening for the bacteria. Salmonella enteritidismarketing, communication, research, marketing assistance, as well as an industrial product program to manage surpluses, if necessary.
Raw milk, but cooked!
For an artisan farmer like Dominic Lamontagne, it is MAPAQ’s other action that is a great source of joy, namely the pilot project allowing small breeders to market cooked products made from raw milk from their goats, sheep or buffaloes. It will of course be necessary to hold a general food preparation permit issued by the Ministry.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Dominic Lamontagne brings his goats to the stream.
“For example, here, we will be able to go and milk the goat in the morning and use its milk to prepare pastries, such as canelés or crème caramel, which would be served at home the same evening as part of a country table or the next day in a public market. With the possibility of slaughtering your own chicken on the farm, it is the culmination of at least 10 years of relentless activism for my wife Amélie and me”, declares the author of the books. The impossible farm and The artisan farmer.
Certainly, cow’s milk remains untouchable, the exclusive “property” of the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec. It is impossible to sell cow’s milk without holding expensive quotas (about $25,000 per cow).
The interest of recent new measures and pilot projects may not seem obvious at first glance. “The MAPAQ opens a door to something that doesn’t exist,” explains Dominic Lamontagne. It is the possibility for a family to start a small farm and earn a decent living. Existing market gardeners could also add eggs, poultry, cooked products made from raw milk to their offer to have real added value and without an investment of 1 million dollars to set up a local slaughterhouse and a dairy factory! »
” In [nous] adapting to the needs and expectations of consumers who wish to have access to more local and regional products, we are taking another step towards food autonomy that promotes the innovation of our entrepreneurs and the vitality of our regions”, declares for his part Minister Lamontagne, in a press release.
Remember that operators wishing to participate in the on-farm chicken slaughter pilot project have until June 30 to submit their application for the first year. Operators who wish to participate in the pilot project around raw milk have until July 29, 2022 to submit their application.