As Canada finally gets set to sign its trade deal with the European Union, dairy farmers and producers in eastern Ontario are seeing both the pros and the cons of the long-awaited agreement.
Ottawa dairy farmer Peter Ruiter watched with concern as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) talks dragged on over the past seven years, only to stall when the Wallonia region of Belgium refused to sign over concerns the proposed accord would undermine labour, environmental and consumer standards.
But on Thursday it appeared the agreement would move ahead.
"The feeling amongst myself and other dairy farmers is we're going to lose some of our market. Nobody likes to lose market. It's not a great day, but as our economy as a whole, we are a trading nation so we'll have to sign it," said Ruiter.
He said Canada's dairy industry carefully manages its production so the supply of milk never exceeds what the market requires.
Ruiter notes Canadian farmers don't get subsidies, in contrast to farmers in Europe.
Source : CBC