OTTAWA— Liberal Agriculture and Agri-Food critic Frank Valeriote made the following statement today regarding the future of Canada’s supply management system:
“Supply management is vital—not just to farmers or rural communities, but to all Canadians. It is both a buy-local program and a key to Canada’s food security and food sovereignty. As the government negotiates the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and entrance into the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Stephen Harper must make it clear that he will not betray his commitment to dairy, poultry, egg producers and rural communities. Together, the supply managed industries employ 300,000 Canadians and contribute over $24.5 billion to Canada’s GDP.”
Liberal Senate Agriculture and Agri-Food critic, Senator Robert Peterson, continued:
“When Canadians purchase their milk, eggs and dairy we are assured of their quality. Supply management ensures food security and food sovereignty, and prevents the Canadian market from being flooded by sub-par products. Unlike other business risk management programs, supply management comes at no additional cost to the taxpayer. This is a system that gets supply managed farmers and producers manageable and predictable prices for high quality food without the need for direct government subsidies. It is a system we should be proud of and a system that the Liberal Party will fight to protect.”
Liberal