Westco continues to consider the New Brunswick government's decision to be invalid and unconstitutional, and is exploring all available options against it. However, in the meantime, Westco's proposal would provide for the processing of its chickens at Nadeau's abattoir in Saint-François as long as the Ministerial Order is in effect on the understanding that the chicken processed under this agreement would be returned to Westco to be marketed under its Sunnymel partnership.

The Westco proposal would thereby enable Minister Ouellette to meet the main objectives of the Order, which is to maintain employment levels in chicken processing in New Brunswick.

So-called "contract-kill" arrangements like Westco's proposal are common practice in the chicken industry and Nadeau Maple Lodge has indeed already taken part in such agreements in the past. The terms of Westco's proposal to have its chickens processed at Nadeau Maple Lodge echo this practice and Nadeau should, therefore, have no problems accepting them.

"We are proposing a "contract-kill" contract that will enable Nadeau to keep processing jobs at its Saint-François plant and even surpass its historical volumes. We have attempted several times since the summer of 2009 to enter into an agreement with Nadeau Maple Lodge to find a temporary solution until our new abattoir is built. However, they have always refused our proposals as a whole, even though these proposals would have allowed them to continue to process Westco chickens. We hope that, this time, Nadeau Maple Lodge will be open and ready to enable us to comply with the Ministerial Order", said Westco CEO Thomas Soucy.

Westco informed Minister Ouellette of its proposal. Westco added that the Minister might be required to intervene if Nadeau refuses the reasonable and standard conditions outlined by Westco in its offer and which would allow it to implement the government's decision.