Provincial ministers from Canada’s eastern provinces attending the annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture in St. John’s today called on the federal government to continue to defend Canada’s system of supply management at the upcoming meetings of the World Trade Organization in Geneva.
The request was made in a letter to Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Chuck Strahl. It was signed by Prince Edward Island Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Jim Bagnall and by five other provincial ministers from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. It was made in response to proposals now before the WTO with respect to the treatment of products deemed sensitive by member countries. The proposals would end the current level of tariff protection imposed by Canada on the import of products covered by its system of supply management, including dairy and poultry products.
“We are aware of the pressure being exerted on federal negotiators to modify Canada’s position regarding the treatment of sensitive products,” said Mr. Bagnall and the other five Ministers in their letter to Mr. Strahl. “This is why, together, we want to let you know that we support you and encourage you to persevere in defending supply management in the WTO arena.”
Canada has successfully defended its supply management system during previous trade negotiations. The new federal government has said earlier that it will continue to support that position.
“Supply management provides increased stability to producers and does not disrupt international markets for agricultural products,” said Mr. Bagnall. “It is imperative that we continue to seek protection for producers of supply management commodities.”
The WTO negotiations resume this coming week in Geneva.