This article was published in the Toronto Sun as a direct response to the following article: NAFTA talks the perfect occasion to do away with supply management
Once again, a lot of hyperbole and no facts. The fact is that innovation has been driving growth: On the farm we offer chicken of all types, enhanced animal care and food safety programs, and our processor colleagues take that chicken and create a wealth of products designed to satisfy every consumer need. As a result, chicken is the most consumed meat in Canada. Production has increased 12% in the past four years and will grow another 5% in 2017. Another reason for the popularity of Canadian chicken is affordability. Over the past four years, the retail price of chicken is up only 7.3%, but the farmer’s price has gone down 7%. Politically stable and economically fit, Canada has proven its ability to open up markets for exports and to uphold supply management through 14 trade agreements with 51 countries; we are confident this will continue in the NAFTA negotiations. Supply management is a driving force in the Canadian economy. Canada’s dairy, poultry, and egg sectors are not just 16,168 farmers, they include 927 processors and employ 348,275 Canadians. They contribute $29.6 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product and pay $6.9 billion in taxes. Those Canadians who take the time to look at the facts know that NAFTA is the perfect occasion to preserve supply management.
Source: ChickenFarmers