Preast is an egg producer from Abbotsford, B.C.
To federal agriculture minister Chuck Strahl: I have been an egg producer for the past 35 years. On March 8, I read in the Western Producer comments blaming our industries for not allowing you to participate in World Trade Organization negotiations and yet assuring us and the world that whatever deal is struck, Canada will be a part of it.
As well, trade minister David Emerson has indicated he is willing to sacrifice supply managed sectors for greater access for exporters. Are these sound negotiating tactics? Aside from that concern, it would appear that farmers are being set up to take responsibility for a deal expected to diminish the ability of supply management to function. Any deal will be justified by saying it’s because (a) you gave the OK to negotiate or (b) you wouldn’t give the OK to negotiate.
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So far the two options are: ” Do you want to lose?” or “Do you want to really lose?” I would suggest we want neither.
We do want you to negotiate a deal that is good for Canada, not one that benefits the U.S. or multinational companies. No other country is going to allow one of their large and important agricultural sectors to be sold out or diminished. The U.S. has proven this many times and in many ways, with farm bills and subsidies, trade challenges, border closures and countervail duties. Furthermore, if our chief negotiator, who has always wanted to trade off supply management, feels he is stymied and can’t negotiate, then replace him with someone who can deal with it.
As you know, supply management is one of the few consistent bright spots in Canadian agriculture. It is the envy of farmers around the world because it is one of few sectors that provide farmers with some market power. We are expecting you and depending on you to protect supply management in its present form. This can be done and it must be done. The outcome will determine how you will be remembered by 23,000 Canadian farmers.
