Dairy farmers happy with TPP deal
Dairy farmers happy with TPP deal
Margret French explains the TPP. She has been a dairy farmer in Southwestern Ontario for 40 years.
Most dairy farmers say they are happy with the outcome of the proposed Trans-Pacific partnership deal.
On Oct.5 the Canadian government met with members of the TPP to discuss foreign trade. Tariffs on some Canadian products from different sectors will be cut. These sectors include the automotive industry and agriculture.
Many dairy farmers were unhappy about this TPP agreement, including Bill and Margret French who have been farming in Southwestern Ontario for about 40 years. The Frenches were upset with the TPP deal at first but after talking to the milk board representative in Perth, Ont. their views changed.
“We are supposed to be getting a 3.25 per cent increase (annual productions for foreign products), but they are only going to do that if Canada has enough milk,” said Margret French. “We figure (the TPP) will hold for about 15 years and that is good for the dairy farmer.”
Canada has free trade agreements with 51 nations. This gives Canadian businesses access to 60 per cent of the world’s economy. The TPP agreement will allow Canadian agriculture products market access to the TPP countries. With this access, it will allow an advantage over competitors due to lowering the tariffs for Japan and Vietnam.
The TPP agreement will help stabilize dairy production said Bill French. The TPP has a “fair composition package” for the next 15 years which makes up for the growth in the national market. This package totals about $4.3 billion.
“Dairy will survive and there will be stability for the next 15 years. That will help get through the next generation,” said Bill.
TPP countries will have duty free access to 3.25 per cent of the Canadian dairy market and 2.1 per cent of the chicken market. If the Liberals and New Democrats form the new government, the TPP might not be signed by Canada because both parties are against the TPP.
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