ABP Resolutions

[smcgrath76]

I agree with 1-5 as well. It was interesting as I watched the No Better Bull show on packer concentration that even the pro-JBS side stated repeatedly that you need at least 3 processors to have competition.
I think one of the challenges with the traditional structure of ABP is displayed here and it warrants discussion. Typically we have fall producer meetings and once a year resolutions are brought forward and either pass or fail, however in the course of a year our industry can see massive changes implemented. ALMS/ALMA, BSE, Packer buyouts, MCOOL, etc. are just a few examples. I am not sure a once annual resolution process is quite nimble enough for today. For example a resolution is brought forward and fails due to slight wording difficulties and it is a whole year before the resolution basically comes back around again. In the meantime we maybe should be working on it. It creates a real challenge. I suspect the same issue plays havoc in many agricultural organizations. It also creates an issue with the role, power and accountability of the Board.

[loric]

I just finished going through all the tapes from the resolutions debate. The clips of the debate will be posted on the ABP website. I will let you know when they are up. The webcast person tells me he is sure he will have them up by January 1st, although said Jan. 5th at the latest. This will give everyone an opportunity to see what the delegates said to each resolution.

[grassfarmer]

Sean, You raise a good point about the structure of ABP and how it is difficult to keep up with current events and also reflect the wishes of producers at the Fall meetings. I have a suggestion. Given the generally low turnout at the fall meetings (relative to #s of cattle producers)I propose that instead of the current set up ABP keep their AGM and their Semi-Annual meeting but have these both open meetings that any producer can attend and participate in. Hold one in Calgary, one in Edmonton, both one day events at a lower cost venue than the AGM currently is, scrap fall producer meetings. THe business of ABP would be conducted publicly, votes taken on the issues would stand or fall on the vote of the delegates and producers attending. If producers want change they will attend and make it happen. Cut out the "them and us" aristocracy we have at the moment and have an organisation that really represents the current views of the producers. Remove the aristocracy replace it with a democracy!!

I would slightly disagree with the observation that you need at least 3 processors to have competition. I think that with 3 or less processors you likely don't even have a functioning marketplace. Between 6 and 10 processors would allows for actual competition.