Canada Invests in Dairy Ahead of EU Trade Pact
CANADA - Canada's government has announced an investment of $350 million for two new programs to support the competitiveness of the dairy sector, in anticipation of the entry into force of the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
11 November 2016
1 minute read
Ministers said the investment marked the government's strong commitment to supply management, the controversial policy which limits dairy production and imports into Canada to ensure farmers get a good price.
The two new programmes using the investment are:
- $250 million over five years to provide targeted contributions to help Canadian dairy farmers update farm technologies such as buying robotic milkers, automated feeding systems, and herd management tools.
- $100 million over four years to help dairy processors modernise their operations and, in turn, improve efficiency and productivity, as well as diversify their products to pursue new market opportunities.
These programmes will complement the dairy sector’s ongoing investment efforts, helping both current and future generations of dairy farmers and processors to remain profitable for the long term, ministers said.
Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of International Trade, said: "This is an opportunity for Canadian dairy producers and processors to modernise their operations and become more competitive in Canada and in international markets. I encourage producers to leverage the new market access provided by CETA and other free trade agreements in order to grow their business."
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