The Prime Minister refused to sign the trade agreement on Nov. 10
By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com
At least one Canadian farm group is applauding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s refusal to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in Vietnam last week.
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) released a statement on Saturday thanking the country’s leader for putting Canadian interests ahead of closing a trade deal that may not fully benefit the country.
“In taking this position, the Prime Minister has made it clear to both our TPP and NAFTA partners that his priority is Canada and its economy, and that Canada won’t be pushed around,” Pierre Lampron, DFC president, said the statement. “On behalf of all Canadian dairy farmers, thank you Prime Minister for your leadership, we fully support you in holding firm for the best deal for Canada…”
The country’s dairy farmers are particularly concerned with the TPP’s details.
The original agreement included allowing about 3.25 per cent more dairy products into Canada from foreign markets.
DFC estimates the additional dairy imports could result in $246 million in losses annually.
In light of the recent American withdrawal from TPP, dairy market access for member countries needs to be renegotiated, DFC says.
“DFC considers that it will be imperative for the Canadian government to ensure that the original market access concessions on dairy and supply management be recalibrated to reflect the loss of the world’s largest economy from the deal,” Lampron said.