There’s a lot of talk these days about tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he is not happy that Canada has triple-digit tariffs on dairy products but also that Canada is not paying its fair share to NATO, which protects our borders and the seas, and that Canada needs to crackdown on the fentanyl-making drug cartels within our borders.
Here at home, some farmers are getting a little nervous. Farmers Forum went to Dairy Days at Maxville on Feb. 12 to ask attendees if they are concerned that Canada might give up a little more access to our dairy market.
Ghislain Castonguay
“From what we hear, it’s definitely a possibility, but hopefully we won’t get there.
“The current situation is so uncertain that nothing is really off the table. I believe both parties in Canada, either the Liberals or the Conservatives, have expressed long-term commitment to preserve the quota system.
“Tariffs technically will not (affect the dairy industry) because the quota system is more of a closed system. We don’t export a lot of dairy. Other agriculture production would be more exposed, the ones that are very dependent on exportation.
Supply management has been challenged for the past 35 years and we’ve always been able to protect it and keep it going and I’m very confident it’s going to be the same in the future.”
Ghislain Castonguay
Agri-business finances
Dairy Days attendee at St. Isidore, Ont.
Don Anderson
“Because we (Canada) don’t send milk down there (US), he can’t tariff milk products. So, even though he (Trump) wants to target the Canadian dairy industry, he has to do it another way.
“Access to the dairy may be used as a lever to remove the tariffs from other industries. So, it won’t be directly. His tariffs affect the dairy industry, but indirectly.”
Don Anderson
Quality Milk Management Ltd.
Dairy Days speaker at St. Isidore, Ont.
Theo Elshof
“I think we’re going to lose a little bit of the market again. I’m not sure how much.
“I hope they will stand up and stay strong like the last negotiations with the deal with America and Mexico.
“Now with Trump I’ve been a little bit worried. And I saw that last night in the news, the premier of Alberta Daniel Smith said, ‘well, we should give up a little bit of dairy and keep the oil.’”
Theo Elshof
Dairy farmer
Finch, Ont.
Tony Nussbaumer
“Absolutely. We’ve negotiated away market access in the past. And it’s a real concern going forward.”
Tony Nussbaumer
Dairy farmer
Alexandria, Ont.
Eric Gratton
“There’s no doubt in my mind they’re going to give (more market access to foreign dairy). It’s how much they’re going to give (that is the question). Even the minister of agriculture told Radio Canada last week that they wouldn’t be giving in, but the past tells us they always have.”
Eric Gratton
Dairy farmer
Saint Isidore, Ont.
