Canada’s dairy, poultry, and egg farmers support Bill C-282

June 14^th, 2022 (Ottawa) - Canada’s dairy, poultry, and egg farmers welcome the reintroduction of Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management (previously Bill C-216). This Bill would safeguard the sustainability of Canadian dairy, poultry, and egg production by preventing further market access concessions in future trade agreements.

Supply management is a uniquely Canadian system that provides stability in the Canadian dairy, poultry, and egg sectors, supporting domestic food security. Canadian consumers have a reliable supply of wholesome dairy, chicken, egg, and turkey products, and farmers receive a fair return for the products they produce. It also provides predictability for processors to operate near full-capacity year-round, supporting good jobs and delivering quality foods that are backed by stringent, audited food safety and animal care programs. And as was further evidenced during the pandemic, Canada’s supply managed system ensured that Canadian families had access to safe, local, affordable food, not impacted by borders and foreign supply chain challenges.

Bill C-282 is needed considering recent trade agreements which have granted a portion of Canada’s supply managed market to be produced outside the country.  These have removed opportunities for Canadian farmers, processors, and other members in the value chain.

Canada has demonstrated in the past that it can enter into trade agreements while preserving supply management, and we are confident that it will continue to do so with the implementation of Bill C-282.