Today, the Federal Government announced that it has entered into the final agreement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). There has been a concession made in the dairy industry to the sum of 3.25 per cent of Canada’s 2016 milk production. This represents about 250 million litres of displaced Canadian milk.

“We were advocating for no concessions in the dairy industry. Period.” Says Alberta Milk Chairman Tom Kootstra. “But dairy farmers are adaptable and resilient. I’m confident that the three pillars of supply management are still intact, despite this news. I look forward to more details.”

 Local Impacts

The impacts of this agreement are still being determined as more details become available. Initial impacts for our province would be the lost opportunity to produce over 22 million litres of milk yearly as well as the related impacts on the rural economy. Alberta Milk respects it was a high priority to the government to enter into the TPP and, while the Canadian dairy industry clearly advocated for no additional access for any foreign dairy, it respects that the additional access was a favourable outcome in the circumstances. We are optimistic that the federal government initiatives and programs for producers and industry investment will continue to protect and defend supply management.

New Government Programs and Initiatives Announced

The government has also announced a series of new programs for dairy, poultry and egg producers, and processors. Details of the programs are attached in their press release.  Please click HERE to review.

We would like to thank all dairy farmers from across the country and Canadians who participated in the Canadian Milk Matters campaign, sending over 210,000 letters of support to our Canadian elected leaders.