Statement on Canadian Dairy Farmers Rally on Parliament Hill

Statement

June 2, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Our government is proud to strongly support Canada’s supply management system, dairy farmers, and the entire Canadian dairy industry.

Following the commitment our government made in early May, we met with members of the dairy industry and continue to listen in order to find long-term, sustainable solutions to industry challenges such as those related to the projected impacts following the anticipated ratification of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the use of diafiltered milk.

Our consultations have been very cooperative, productive and constructive, and we remain attentive to the needs of industry. These consultations with producers, processors and regional agricultural associations from across the country allowed us to hear their views and help us to develop a long-term strategy for the whole sector.

This morning, the Parliamentary Secretaries for Agriculture and International Trade continued these consultations by meeting with the organizers of today’s rally in support of supply management.

Our goal is to improve the position of Canadian dairy farmers, help modernize the Canadian dairy industry, and ensure this critical Canadian industry can continue to grow and thrive in an ever-changing global economy.

We must ensure we arrive at the best possible outcomes which address the challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian dairy industry in a way that will pave the way forward for not only today’s dairy farmers, but their children and grandchildren.

Going forward, we will be taking the ideas brought forward to us by the entire Canadian dairy industry during our consultation process and formulating a response which will address these unique challenges and important opportunities.

Contacts

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

Hon. Lawrence MacAulay Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agriculture