Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has issued another statement after it was revealed the United States may be looking for increased access to Canada's protected dairy market.

The following statement was issued by DFC’s President, Pierre Lampron:

“We are not surprised by the U.S. demands, they are in line with the demands they have made in other sectors. Outrageous. It would be the end of supply management.

“We do not see supply management as being on the table. The Prime Minister and his cabinet have clearly expressed their support and willingness to defend the dairy industry and supply management. We remain confident they will stay true to their word.”

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Original statement issued October 13, 2017

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has responded to the proposal made by the United States in the latest round of NAFTA talks taking place near Washington. It is being reported that the U.S. wants Canada to be more transparent about its supply management system for dairy.

The following statement was issued by DFC's Director of Communications and Government Relations, Isabelle Bouchard:

“We are not surprised by the U.S. demands, they are in line with the demands they have made in other sectors - they are outrageous. We have been made aware that texts have been tabled by the Americans on agriculture, which include provisions on dairy. We are being briefed and consulted by Canada’s negotiating team, but we have signed a confidentiality agreement, so we are not free to discuss any details. The Canadian government has been clear, it will not negotiate in public, and we won’t either.

“Given that the U.S. dairy industry has publicly demanded market access, we still expect to see a demand on this from the U.S. government at some point during the negotiations. Let’s not forget that market access are technically under NTMA (National Treatment and Market Access).

“We do not see supply management as being on the table. The Prime Minister and his cabinet have clearly expressed their support and willingness to defend the dairy industry and supply management. We remain confident they will stay true to their word.”