Egg Farmers of Ontario Accepting 2012 New Entrant Quota Loan Pool Applications

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 16, 2012 /CNW/ - Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) is once again giving individuals an opportunity to become Ontario's newest egg farmer by applying to the 2012 New Entrant Quota Loan Pool (NEQLP) today until May 15, 2012.

The program was introduced at EFO's 46^th Annual Meeting in March 2011. The first recipients of the NEQLP, Michael and Gwen Van Gurp, were introduced at the November 2011 Councillor's and Delegates Workshop in Mississauga.

"We are once again pleased to offer this opportunity," said EFO Chair Carolynne Griffith. "The program was well received last year and we look forward to welcoming Ontario's newest egg farmer."

In order to be eligible for EFO's 2012 New Entrant Quota Loan Pool, an applicant must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;
• Be a permanent resident of Ontario;
• Not have held quota, currently or in the past, of any type in the supply-managed sector (egg, pullet, chicken, turkey, dairy or hatching eggs);
• Successful applicants will be required to purchase quota based on a 1:2 ratio;
• Priority will be given to persons between the ages of 18 and 45.

"We gained tremendous insight throughout the process last year." observed Griffith. "We anticipate an equally successful response from the community."

Applicants who meet the above criteria will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of well-respected and knowledgeable industry representatives and EFO will act as a resource for the committee. Committee members are selected by EFO and may include:

• An Accountant;
• A Financial Representative;
• An OMAFRA staff person;
• A non-Director egg farmer and
• A representative from Junior Farmers Association of Ontario

To apply, interested individuals must complete and submit an application form (available through EFO) along with a $113.00 non-refundable fee. Applicants are encouraged to submit a Business Plan with their application. Successful applicants will be required to purchase quota based on a 1:2 ratio (1 unit purchased, 2 loaned). Applications will be accepted immediately up to and including May 15, 2012.

2012 New Entrant Program Fact Sheet

What?
The New Entrant Quota Loan Pool (NEQLP) is a program for new entrants to the Ontario egg industry introduced in March 2011 by Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO). This is the second year of the program.

Why?
To foster the opportunity for individuals to join the Ontario egg industry and make it easier for them to do so.

When?
Applications will be accepted immediately up to and including May 15, 2012.

How does it work?
EFO will allocate a total of 50,000 units of egg quota, over a 10-year period into the NEQLP. Each year, up to 5,000 units of egg quota will be loaned to the successful applicant(s). This quota will be loaned based on a 1:2 ratio (1 unit purchased, 2 loaned). After 10 years, the loaned quota will be returned into EFO's NEQLP in five installments (20% each).

Who's eligible?
In order to be considered for EFO's NEQLP, an applicant must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant;
• Be a permanent resident of Ontario;
• Not hold quota of any type in the supply-managed sector (egg, pullet, chicken, turkey, dairy, or hatching eggs);
• Not have held quota, currently or in the past, of any type in the supply-managed sector;
• Priority will be given to persons between the ages of 18 and 45.

How to apply?
Interested individuals must complete and submit an application form (available through EFO) along with a $113.00 non-refundable fee. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a Business Plan with their application.

How are recipients chosen?
Eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of well-respected and knowledgeable industry representatives with EFO acting as a resource to them. The selection committee's recommendation will be presented to EFO's Board of Directors for final decision. All applicants will be notified of the outcome. Applications not accepted become null and void and applicants must re-apply to be considered in future years.

How does recipient obtain loaned quota?
Once chosen, EFO will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the successful applicant(s) to sign. The MOU will outline the conditions for obtaining the loaned quota. Also successful applicant(s) will provide an Agreement to Purchase the determined units of quota based on the 1:2 ratio. Upon execution of the MOU and Agreement to Purchase, EFO will loan (based on 1:2 ratio) and allocate quota to recipient. Production must begin within 18 months of being selected.

Deadline
Applications may be submitted beginning March 16, 2012 up to and including May 15, 2012.

Harry Pelissero
General Manager
Eggs Farmers of Ontario
905-858-9790