US Milk Producers Counter Canada Statements on Dairy Policy, Trade

Statements by Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland that Canada would protect its dairy programs in upcoming NAFTA negotiations are being met with criticism by U.S. dairy producers. "For too long, Canada has relied on government controls on farm milk production to boost prices, while minimizing dairy imports to limit competition," National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Jim Mulhern said in a statement. "By comparison, the United States has slashed its government involvement in dairy markets and relies on exporting its products to global customers to a greater degree than ever before."As for her assertion trade is weighed toward the U.S. in dairy, Mulhern said, "Much of what the United States exports to Canada is ultimately shipped back out under Canadian import for re-export programs. Canada has been refusing to share details of imports and exports under those programs, but the reality is that much of the dairy the United States ships to Canada doesn't stay in Canada."