The Dairy Farmers of Canada is challenging the Federal Government to follow up on support after the industry started to feel the pinch of international trade deals.
President of the DFC, Pierre Lampron, says by 2024, some 18% of domestic milk production will be outsourced to dairy farmers in other countries.
"By 2024, as a result of trade concessions, some 18% of our domestic milk production will be outsourced to dairy farmers in other countries at a time when Canadians are more aware than ever of the importance of ensuring our own food security," said Lampron. "By not following through on its commitment, the government is undermining its own dairy sector which seems counterintuitive."
And with the current focus on food security due to the pandemic, Lampron says the government is undermining its own dairy sector by not following up on support.
The trade deals that are being highlighted are the the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA; the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, CPTPP and the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement.
The Prime Minister did mention that the government is aware and is still working on compensation.
"We will continue to make this a priority, even through this pandemic we recognize how many families and communities have been hit hard by this pandemic," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We will always be there to support people, including with compensation we have long promised and deliver."
The federal government has mentioned compensation a number of times, most recently in the throne speech.
