News
New member appointed to Farm Products Council
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz recently announced the appointment of John Griffin, a long-time potato grower and entrepreneur, to the National Farm Products Council. His term of service is four years.
August 8, 2008 By Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
August 8, 2008
Ottawa, ON – Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced the appointment of John Griffin as a member of the National Farm Products Council (NFPC).
"This Government is dedicated to ensuring the success of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector," said Minister Ritz. "I am pleased to announce Mr. Griffin's appointment to the Council. His knowledge and experience as an innovative leader in Canadian agri-business will prove invaluable as the Council continues its important work."
John Griffin is President of W.P. Griffin Inc., a family-owned and operated farming business in Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island, a position he has held since 2000. The company is organized in three divisions: the farming operation, which grows potatoes, grain and hay; the packaging warehouse, which comprises a state-of-the-art potato packaging facility; and the cattle operation, which consists of a beef cattle finishing feedlot. One of the notable achievements during Mr. Griffin's tenure as President came in 2006, when the company was named by the Business Development Bank of Canada as the first recipient of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Business Ownership Transition Award, in recognition of the company's successful transition from one generation to another.
In addition to his extensive involvement in local community activities, Mr. Griffin is also on the Board of the PEI Federation of Agriculture, chairing the organization's On-Farm Food Safety Committee and serving as Vice-Chair of the Canadian On-Farm Food Safety Working Group in Ottawa. As well, Mr. Griffin was President of the PEI Grain Elevators Corporation from 2001 to 2004, after serving as a Director from 1998 to 2000. Mr. Griffin graduated from Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Administration and Data Processing in 1987.
Mr. Griffin is appointed for a term of four years.
The NFPC has eight members and plays a key role in the supply management system for poultry and eggs. The Council supervises the operations of the four national marketing agencies that manage the supply of Canadian chicken, turkey, eggs, and broiler-hatching eggs, ensuring they work best for both producers and consumers. These agencies implement and administer marketing plans, allocate production quotas and generate their revenues through levies.
In addition, the Council supervises the operation of the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency.
To learn more about the NFPC, please visit www.nfpc-cnpa.gc.ca
