Dairy Farmers of Ontario Chair Ralph DietrichDairy Farmers of Ontario Chair Ralph Dietrich
Sarnia

DFO Chair Has 'Sense Of Relief' TPP Tentative Deal Reached

Dairy Farmers of Ontario Chair Ralph Dietrich says he's got a sense of relief that a tentative deal has been reached in the TPP talks.

He says the dairy industry knew going into the talks that it was a target - but also knew it had no control over the outcome.

Dietrich suggests the 3 point 25 per cent increase in Canadian dairy market share for other TPP countries 'could have been worse'.

Now that the industry knows what it's facing, he says it can position itself to meet the challenge.

Dietrich is confident they can challenge U-S imports being used in the production of some Canadian products, on a price-basis.

DFO is also welcoming the government's announcement it will intensify on-going anti-circumvention measures to enhance border controls.

Dietrich says that's something the dairy industry has been asking the government to do for some time.

He suggests that in itself could go a long way to protecting lost markets.

===

Although it opens up the Canadian market to more dairy product imports, Dietrich says the deal takes away a lot of uncertainty .

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TPP-Ralph-1.mp3"][/audio]

===

Dietrich says Ontario producers have a chance to reposition themselves to cope.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TPP-Ralph-2.mp3"][/audio]

===

Dietrich points out the industry was criticized earlier this year for not being able to deal with the amount of milk coming into the system.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/TPP-Ralph-3.mp3"][/audio]

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.