SAINT-FRANÇOIS-DE-MADAWASKA, NB – A Dec. 22 decision made by the Supreme Court of Canada denies Nadeau Maple Lodge the right to appeal the June 2 decision of the federal Court of Appeals. As a result, Nadeau is now obliged to accept Westco's previous business decision to slaughter its own live chickens in a partnership with Olymel lp, a decision made nearly four years ago. Nadeau was hoping to reverse a lower court ruling in its battle with poultry producers planning to open a competing plant, according to CBC News.

"I am happy to see that all the courts are unanimous in deciding in favor of Westco,” said Thomas Soucy, Westco president and CEO. “I am especially pleased to see that we have finally reached the end of this legal battle, which was initiated by Nadeau three years ago. All our efforts will now be focused on completing our major slaughterhouse project in Clair and creating a large number of stable jobs in the region."

Building the new slaughterhouse is proceeding on schedule. Current forecasts reveal workers who are hired will start their jobs towards the end of next autumn.

Groupe Westco Inc. is a New Brunswick company based in Saint-François-de-Madawaska. Westco owns its own hatcheries, breeding farms and shipping companies, and is also one of the largest poultry production organizations in Canada.

Olymel lp is a slaughterer, processor and distributor of pork and poultry products in Canada, operating facilities in Québec, Ontario and Alberta.