Editorial: A case of beer

For all the ink and vitriol that’s been spilled over supply management in Canadian agricultural commodities over the years, not much has changed. There’s been a bit of evolution around the edges and some grudging concession on imports, but the fundamental bedrock of the system remains. Now an earthquake could be coming, from the most

Are days numbered for supply management?

Are days numbered for supply management?

If they are it will be because of NAFTA 2.0 and Donald Trump

Canada’s supply management system is a textbook case for food sovereignty. But the social contract the system represents may need to be redrafted as we head toward North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations. Supply management is a social contract between farmers and consumers. Canada’s heavily criticized quota regime for the dairy, egg and poultry


Canada’s supply management system for dairy is no longer defensible

Canada’s supply management system for dairy is no longer defensible

It’s unfair to consumers and has significant hidden costs when it comes to making trade deals

U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear: Dairy is high on the U.S. agenda for NAFTA. And Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland has also made it clear that this government is committed to protecting supply management. Three of the top-six milk-producing states in the United States — Wis­consin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — helped

Protect supply management

Protect supply management

Dairy and poultry products are subsidized in some way or another the world over

With negotiations on a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) presently underway, it is appropriate for Canadians to ask: Whither supply management? Supply management ensures that producers receive a reasonable return on their investment, and that consumers have access to a steady supply of safe and healthy dairy, chicken, turkey and egg products, at


Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay speaks during an event at the University of Manitoba.

Dairy issue to be contentious

As the first round of NAFTA talks wraps up, government reaffirms commitment to supply management

Canada’s minister of agriculture says concessions in non-supply-managed commodities will not be offered up to U.S. negotiators as a way to ensure the security of Canada’s dairy industry during the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement. “I’ve never heard that said except in the media,” said Minister Lawrence MacAulay, following an announcement at

Poultry boards not letting their guard down as NAFTA preparations begin

Poultry boards not letting their guard down as NAFTA preparations begin

The U.S. has a healthy trade surplus with Canada for eggs and poultry

Dairy may be getting all the attention in the upcoming NAFTA negotiations, but the chicken, egg and turkey boards aren’t letting their guard down as talks begin in mid-August. “The government has been clear in its support for supply management and we are confident it will continue to support and protect supply management during the negotiations



Ottawa announced details of CETA assistance

Transition programs will assist farmers adapt to an expected influx of European cheese

With the European free trade deal CETA set to launch next month, Ottawa is smoothing out a few wrinkles. The federal government has backed down a bit in a dispute with the European Union over the allocation of new tariff-free cheese imports. It also said it would start accepting applications Aug. 22 from dairy farmers