SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON PANEL DELAY
March 28, 2025
Due to circumstances beyond the control of the FFAW, a delay in panel proceedings was deemed necessary by the crab negotiation committee.
The provincial government understands the situation at hand, and has come out in support of harvesters and plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador. For further information, please see the attached letter from Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Minister Gerry Byrne.
April 13 is the Minister’s Date, which is the date by which an agreement has to be in place.
April 10 is the latest date by which the Panel has to make a decision (i.e., a price is put in place). To be clear, a price will be in place on or before April 10.
April 7 is the hearing date.
A decision on price can be made anytime between April 7 and 10. It is also possible for the parties to reach a deal before that time.
The negotiating committee fully supports this postponement of the Panel and we thank the committee for their dedication throughout this negotiating process.
As seen in the letter in response from the Association of Seafood Producers, ASP is only interested in forcing a panel hearing regardless of the extenuating circumstances we are facing. These actions undoubtedly show that ASP does not have the best interests of this industry in mind.