In late June of 2008, the Minister of International Trade decided on the allocation of
chicken TRQ for both 2008 and 2009. Minister Emerson reviewed the recommendations   from his TQAC committee in making his decision.

The following are the key elements:

a) TRADITIONAL POOL

Traditional chicken quota holders are restored to their full allocation prior to cut-backs for both 2008 and 2009.

b) PROCESSOR POOL

For 2008 will be allocated the same volume by weight as was allocated in 2007. For 2009, the same allocation as 2008 will be received plus the rate of growth in the overall chicken market.

c) DISTRIBUTOR POOL

For 2008 will be allocated the same volume by weight as was allocated in 2007. For 2009, the same allocation as 2008 will be received plus the rate of growth in the overall chicken market.

d) FOODSERVICE POOL

For 2008 will be allocated the same volume by weight as was allocated in 2007. For 2009, the same allocation as 2008 will be received plus the rate of growth in the overall chicken market.

e) FTA POOL

i)  2008
FTA demand will be fully met first through available room in the TRQ on a pro-rata basis and any remainder through the issuance of supplementary imports to federally registered FTA processors under a modified import-to-compete supplementary program. Of the remainder the low value imports, such as ground trim and finely textured meat, will be issued on a like-for-like basis. This means the chicken specified on the import permit must be imported and the FTA permit cannot be used to import other raw material. Diced chicken in the remainder could also be issued a like-for-like FTA supplementary permit.

ii)  2009
FTA demand will be fully met first through available room in the TRQ on a pro-rata basis and any remainder by way of supplementary permits allocated on a like-for-like basis. All low value chicken meat and diced chicken will also be allocated like-for-like FTA permits.

iii)  The meat-on-meat FTA pool portion will remain capped at 5.7 kt for both years. Meat-on-meat products are not eligible for supplementary permits to compete once the CAP has been reached.

Note: The market growth with addition to the foodservice, processor and distributor pools will be reconsidered should additional FTA demand exceed 4.8 kt.