Dairy Farmers of Canada executive director steps down

Jun 28, 2017

Caroline Emond’s resignation effective July 4

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

The search is on for Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) next executive director as Caroline Emond is stepping down as of July 4.

Since joining the organization in January 2015, Emond played a part in many DFC initiatives including leading producers to a new agreement in principle with processors, helping launch the organization’s new visual identity and minimizing the impact of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Canadian dairy farmers, according to a June 27 release from DFC.

Caroline Emond

“Caroline has brought a breath of fresh air to DFC. We are grateful for her legacy, which will contribute to a bright future for the dairy industry,” Wally Smith, DFC president, said in the statement.

“She was instrumental in one of the most challenging times in the history of Canada’s dairy industry.”

DFC will spend the next few months searching for its new executive director.

And with NAFTA renegotiations scheduled to begin in August, the organization believes its members can represent the Canadian dairy industry well, even if a new executive director isn’t named by the times negotiations begin.

“DFC has a very experienced management team,” Isabelle Bouchard, director of communications and government relations with DFC, told Farms.com on June 28.

“At this time it’s not a problem for DFC not to have an executive director. “I’ve had interactions with the proper authorities regarding the NAFTA file, and so far so good.”

The next executive director of DFC may have to defend Canada’s dairy industry through continuing accusations of protectionism.

“Our respective dairy industries are firmly of the view that the operation of Ontario’s Class 6 and Canada’s Class 7 contravene Canada’s international commitments,” says a June 27 joint letter signed by a number of dairy organizations including the U.S. Dairy Export Council, National Milk Producers Federation, Australian Dairy Industry Council and European Dairy Association.

“Canada’s increasingly protectionist policies are diverting trade with attendant global price-depressing impacts, and are in conflict with the principles of free markets and fair and transparent trade.”

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