Overview of ILO issues in Prince Edward Island
Livestock
Dairy
The dairy industry is the largest livestock commodity on PEI, with 265 farms and a total of 15,500 dairy cows (http://dairyinfo.gc.ca). This number is in sharp decline, in 1989/90 there were 669 dairy farms on the island.
Dairy production in the country is part of the supply management system. Overall, dairy producers on PEI hold 1.7% total Canadian quota.
“Dairy production has become highly specialized and mechanized, like other farming industries. Quality standards are very high with rigid inspection programs covering every phase from the health of the cow through to the finished product.The size of milk cow herds range in number from 20 to more than 250 with the average milking herd having 50 cows. Annual milk production exceeds 94 million liters, 15 percent is used to supply the fresh market and the balance is manufactured into butter, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products. Breeding stock is sold to dairy farms in other parts Canada, the United States and other countries around the world. Quota price was around $ 30,000 per kg in January 2007” (pdf link) There are 9 dairy processing plants in the province (See page 4 pdf link)
Several producers on the island have formed an Organic Dairy Club (Farmers’ club taking dairy organic). 10 dairy producers are collectively making the transition into organic dairy farming on the island backed by Amalgamated Dairies Limited and Charlottetown’s Purity Dairy Ltd.