The PIC elected a new chair to lead the organisation at its board meeting on 12 December.

Edward Verkley was elected by the Board to replace Dr Helen Anne Hudson, Burnbrae Farms, who stepped down after a three-year term at the helm.

Charlie Elliott from Masterfeeds was elected as Vice Chair of the organisation, filling a previously vacant position.

Mr Verkley said: “I am looking forward to this new role and see the tremendous value that PIC plays within our industry. We are working on our governance and ensuring we operate as efficiently as possible for the sector.”

PIC is led through a 12-person volunteer Board representing both producers and the poultry industry. Mr Verkley is the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO) representative at the PIC Board and is the CFO Board Director for District 8.

The PIC is a non-profit corporation recognized by Revenue Canada as having charitable status. PIC was officially formed in 1997, the result of a merger between the Ontario Poultry Council and the Poultry Industry Centre. The Poultry Industry Council will effectively deliver poultry extension services, event coordination, and project and programme management while supporting research capacity for the betterment of the Ontario industry.