For release: January 28, 2005

EXPRESSION OF OPINION VOTE TO BE HELD
FOR GREENHOUSE PEPPER GROWERS

GUELPH - Greenhouse pepper growers will be able to vote between February 3 and February 14, 2005 on a proposal that would regulate their commodity under the authority of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Marketing Plan, Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission Chair Dave Hope announced today.

The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission will conduct the vote by mail-in ballot.

The question the growers will be asked is:

"Are you in favour of greenhouse peppers being regulated under the authority of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Marketing Plan and paying a mandatory licence fee based on the square footage of production to fund the board's activities?"

Ontario growers who are growing greenhouse peppers as of February 1, 2005 are eligible to vote.

Ballots will be mailed by the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission on January 31, 2005 to all known greenhouse pepper growers in Ontario. Eligible greenhouse pepper growers, who do not receive a ballot in the mail by February 4, should contact the Commission at (519) 826-3395.

All returned ballots must be post-marked no later than Monday, February 14, 2005.

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Contacts:
Gloria Marco Borys
Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
(519) 826-3395

Dean Tiessen
Greenhouse Pepper Growers' Association
(519) 326-4989

Dave DeLellis
Greenhouse Pepper Growers' Association and Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers
(519) 733-8373