Brendan Byrne appointed chair of Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission

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Published: July 29, 2025

Brendan Byrne appointed chair of Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission

Brendan Byrne has been appointed the new Chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, effective July 29, 2025.

The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (OFPMC) regulates and oversees the province’s 25 marketing boards and associations for commodities like milk, eggs and grains.

“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 Trevor Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, in a release.

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“With over 20 years of agricultural experience he will be a passionate advocate for our province’s $51 billion agri-food sector —helping farmers work together to maintain the high-quality Ontario is known for.”

Brendan has served as former vice-chair of the Presidents Council and former chair of the Essex County Soil and Crop Improvement Association. He is a graduate of the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) and currently manages a cash crop farm operation that has been in his family for over 100 years. As chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) from 2021 to 2024, he successfully navigated unprecedented crisis events while advocating for farmers and industry.

Most recently, he served as an OFPMC commission member under the outgoing chair Amy Cronin.

“I want to thank Minister Jones for entrusting me with this tremendous honour. I look forward to working collaboratively, listening openly and working alongside my fellow commission members to continue the vital work of supporting and strengthening our agricultural sector,” Byrne said.

Minister Jones thanked Amy Cronin for her leadership as OFPMC chair, a position she held since 2020, said she “championed collaboration and continuous improvement to the Commission.”

During her time at the OFPMC, Amy Cronin ensured stability throughout a challenging period during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently Chair of the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO). She is the owner of Cronin Farms Ltd., a sow and poultry operation, and Cedar Grove Park Ltd., a sow and piglet operation.

The Commission comprises a chair, vice chair and other members, all appointed by the Lieutenant Governor on the advice of Ontario’s Cabinet. Its diverse membership is made up of producers and processors with experience in business, industry and commodity groups. The Commission reports and is directly accountable to Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.

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Kristy Nudds

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