At a Glance

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 the process more orderly and efficient.

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

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

The Régie must act to ensure that the tools and powers conferred on producers by the Act are used properly, and that the marketing system is balanced in such a way that 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 all actions taken under the joint plans every five years. In April 2021, the PBQ held a public meeting to present its marketing initiatives for the five production sectors under its responsibility for the 2015-2019 period. This was the seventh periodic review; details are available in the 2015-2019 periodic review report.

The PBQ 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 PBQ intends to pursue its mission in the same spirit of partnership and joint action with producers that has always been its driving force.

The road travelled since 1982

Thanks to “strength in numbers,” the Plan conjoint des producteurs de bovins (cattle producers’ joint plan) was implemented in 1982, following a referendum consultation with 28,002 producers and approved by a strong majority (78% of voters).

Beef and veal farmers, as well as dairy producers, collectively gave themselves the means by which to improve their production and sales conditions and thus strengthen their bargaining power relative to various industry stakeholders.

A quarter-century of actions and innovations later, what stands out is not only the achievements but the human engagement. It is thanks to the commitment of our people that we assure beef and veal consumers a product that meets their highest expectations.

Powers under the joint plan