Henk Van Essen, a 61-year-old egg farmer near Lethbridge, says he faces a court-ordered cull of 1,000 laying hens after his arrest on Wednesday for allegedly selling eggs outside the quota system regulated by the Egg Farmers of Alberta (EFA).
In an interview with the Western Standard on Monday, Van Essen said EFA officials, accompanied by RCMP, are expected to raid his farm to assess and cull some of his flock.
He confirmed five RCMP vehicles were involved in his arrest last week for civil contempt of court. Released with conditions, Van Essen has posted warning signs on his driveway to deter trespassers.
“I have no charges at the moment,” Van Essen said by phone, noting his farm meets Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards.
“But the judge ordered the Egg Farmers (of Alberta) to come today to my property, to count the chickens, and dispose of any over 300. They won’t tell me what time they’re coming.”
Van Essen could be sent back to jail if he obstructs. Also, he said the judge warned him not to get media involved.
Van Essen, who sells birds and eggs, described demand as “extremely high.” He said he has been fighting the system for years, calling alleged EFA threats he’s received “unbelievable.”
The EFA enforces production quotas under Alberta’s Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, requiring farmers with more than 300 hens to hold a quota. That costs money.
The exact number of hens on Van Essen’s farm remains unconfirmed by the Western Standard, but his operation exceeds the 300-hen limit, triggering EFA enforcement.
Van Essen’s daughter, Lyndsay Van Essen, previously told the Western Standard the EFA targeted her father for selling CFIA-inspected eggs without a quota, which she called a “monopoly.”
The case underscores tensions between small-scale farmers and Canada’s supply management system, which regulates egg, dairy, and poultry production to stabilize prices and supply.
Critics, including People’s Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier, have labelled the system a “cartel” that restricts competition and inflates egg prices for consumers. Bernier posted on X on April 24 condemning the EFA’s actions against Van Essen as an example of overreach by supply management boards.
The EFA did not respond to the Western Standard's request from comment.
