duBreton Files a Request for Conciliation Following the Syndicate of Quebec Pork Producers’ Inability to Adapt to New Market Realities

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For Immediate Release

duBreton Files a Request for Conciliation Following the Syndicate of Quebec Pork Producers’ Inability to Adapt to New Market Realities

Saint Bernard, Quebec, April 20, 2026
duBreton has filed a formal request for conciliation with the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec under section 115 of the Act respecting the marketing of agricultural, food and fish products.

This step is part of the ongoing negotiations concerning the evolution and adaptation of the conventional framework governing pork marketing under the Joint Plan of Quebec Pork Producers, administered by the EPQ.

For several months, duBreton has been actively participating in discussions aimed at modernizing the conventional framework so that it reflects the profound transformations taking place in the pork market. These changes are notably characterized by the diversification of production channels, the growth of differentiated certifications, and the need to adapt marketing mechanisms to the specific realities of each type of pork.

In this context, duBreton submitted a notice of termination of the 2023 to 2026 Pork Marketing Convention in November 2025 and subsequently presented comprehensive proposals for replacement agreements. These proposed agreements are based on distinct structures according to the types of pork being marketed, including organic pork, animal welfare certified pork, California Animal Care Program certified pork, as well as grain fed pork raised without antibiotics or added hormones.

A fundamental disagreement remains regarding the very structure of the conventional framework. The EPQ continue to advocate for a single agreement applied uniformly to all types of pork, which has created an unavoidable deadlock. “There is a lack of understanding of the challenges related to the development of value-added products and evolving consumer needs. This is not part of the producers’ union’s expertise,” stated Vincent Breton, President of duBreton.

The request for conciliation filed by duBreton therefore seeks a specific and clearly defined objective, namely the recognition of the principle that pork marketing can be governed by more than one distinct agreement under the Joint Plan, with each agreement tailored to a specific production channel and able to establish its own terms and durations. “This is their last opportunity,” said the President of duBreton, referring to the producers’ syndicate, “to preserve the integrity of collective marketing,” while underscoring the weakness and outdated nature of Quebec’s current marketing system. “Consumers no longer accept certain obsolete farming practices, such as the use of cages, antibiotics, and physical alterations to animals. Modern consumer expectations must be reflected in a streamlined and modern regulatory framework.”

About duBreton

Rooted in four generations of agri-food excellence, duBreton champions a vision of a world where human health, animal welfare, and sustainable agriculture thrive. Recognized as North America’s leading supplier of organic pork, with a growing global presence, duBreton exceeds the certification standards of the Global Animal Partnership programs, Certified Humane Raised and Handled, and Canada Organic. Committed to a fair and equitable food system, duBreton supports the well being of farmers, animals, people, and the environment.

Learn more at: www.duBreton.com

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