EDITORIAL
[ LOBBYING KEY ISSUES TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT By Jennifer Nevans
EDITOR
L
ast month, dairy producers across Canada participated in the industry’s federal lobby day. While the annual event looked a little different this year, the key mandate remained the same. Federal lobby day is an important event for the Canadian dairy industry because it gives producers a chance to meet with elected officials and lobby key issues that have a direct impact on you. Industry staff work throughout the year to lobby these issues to government, but these messages are much more powerful when they come directly from producers themselves. This includes lobbying for full and fair compensation for concessions made on Canadian dairy as a result of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). “Our government has now made an under-
taking to protect supply management, as well as not give away any market share in future generations,” Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau promised the industry. In November, the government announced the long-awaited compensation for market access concessions granted in the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The industry now remains steadfast on lobbying the government to deliver on promised compensation for the effects of CUSMA. By 2024, combined access granted under CETA, CPTPP, CUSMA and the World Trade Organization (WTO) will replace 18 per cent of domestic milk production. Industry leaders continue to drive this message home to government officials as a reminder of how these trade agreements affect more than 10,000 hardworking Canadian dairy farmers who are responsible for contributing $16 billion toward to the country’s gross domestic product every year. Industry staff are also continuing to hold the government to its word when it comes to not
granting additional market access in future trade agreements, and continue to urge the government to ensure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency have the tools they need to enforce regulations and production standards at the border. Other lobbying efforts include supporting the grocery code of conduct to strengthen the country’s food supply chain, as well as supporting regulations that restrict the use of dairy terms on plant-based products. It’s all in an effort to protect Canada’s supply management—a system that former U.S. Governor Howard Dean says every country should adopt. “We essentially subsidize dairy illegally, and supply management is what we should be doing,” Dean says. “I think it’s time (the U.S.) tries something significantly different. We have an example north of the border, which shows (supply management) works.” These comments, along with other key industry issues, were addressed during Dairy Farmers of Canada’s (DFC) virtual annual policy conference in February. DFC staff provided full coverage of the conference, which you can read more about, starting on page 12.
DOWN ON THE FARM, LIFE CARRIES ON By Steve Runnalls
DFO 2ND VICE-CHAIR
I
t’s now been a year since COVID-19 put a stop to the world as we knew it. The last time producers and Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s (DFO) board were able to meet as a group was the 2020 spring policy conference. The virus meant big changes for everyone, including the end of face-to-face meetings and the closure of restaurants and businesses. Wearing a face mask in public became the new norm, and the world as we knew it may never be the same. As 2020 brought changes to the world, it also brought a lot of changes to Claybrook Holsteins. As shutdowns were enforced, life on the farm carried on. My family was able to fol4
MARCH 2021 | MILKPRODUCER
low through with years of planning to complete the construction of a new freestall dairy barn. As the board pivoted to virtual meetings, I spent less time travelling and more time with my family. I also had extra time to focus on the construction of our new barn. COVID-19 slowed the pace of life, enabling me to participate in various outdoor activities. Living in northern Ontario, naturally I’m an avid outdoorsman and enjoy hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. While out on the trails, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of people—particularly families—enjoying the outdoors. As social distancing guidelines have refocused family activities and traditions, families have also shifted their shopping habits. Now more than ever, they value healthy, wholesome, local foods—particularly dairy. We, as an industry, have seen an unprecedented increase in retail dairy product sales, specifically fluid milk, butter and cheese, as
families are preparing more meals at home. In a time of uncertainty, it’s encouraging to see consumers placing higher value on dairy products to nourish their families while bringing them together at the dinner table. As 2021 brings light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines being administered, I remain hopeful everyone finds a healthy, balanced, slower pace of life while continuing to value and support local foods and businesses. The use of technology will enable us to remain connected and work efficiently so we are able to spend quality time with our families— exploring the outdoors, enjoying meals together and making memories. As a dairy producer, I’m thankful for how our supply managed system has served us and all Canadians through the pandemic so far. I’m hopeful retail growth continues across all dairy products and has a lasting positive effect on dairy consumption and our dairy industry. WWW.MILKPRODUCER.CA
