For Release: March 30, 2005

GREENHOUSE PEPPER GROWERS VOTE FOR
JOINING MARKETING PLAN
Vote means stronger voice for growers

GUELPH - Ontario's greenhouse pepper growers voted in favour of being regulated under the authority of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Marketing Plan.

"As part of a marketing board, these growers will be in a stronger position to co-ordinate their marketing efforts with cucumber and tomato growers," Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission Chair Dave Hope said.

A total of 84 per cent of greenhouse pepper growers representing 77.4 per cent of the acreage of those casting valid ballots voted in favour of the following question:

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?

More than 70 per cent of the 35 growers who received ballots participated in the mail-in vote which was conducted by the Commission between February 3 and February 14, 2005.

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Program 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