The Ontario government has appointed a new chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, and he's from Essex County.
Brendan Byrne started in his new position on Friday.
The commission regulates and oversees 25 marketing boards and associations across the province for things like milk, eggs, and grains. It helps stabilize farmers' incomes, strengthens their bargaining power with buyers and maintains consumer confidence in locally grown products.
"I am confident Brendan will bring bold and positive leadership to the commission during this time of economic uncertainty in the face of U.S. tariffs," said Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Trevor Jones. "With over 20 years of agricultural experience, he will be a passionate advocate for our province's $51-billion agri-food sector."
Byrne has also served as the former vice-chair of the President's Council and the Essex County Soil and Crop Improvement Association. He manages a cash crop farming operation that has been in his family for over a century. Most recently, he was the chair of the Grain Farmers of Ontario until 2024 and a member of the commission.
Outgoing chair, Amy Cronin, ensured stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. She's the chair of the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization and the owner of Cronin Farms Ltd. and Cedar Grove Park Ltd., which is a sow and piglet operation.
