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Canadian dairy farmers educate about supply management

Dairy farmers from Canada say instead of attacking their supply management system, the U.S. needs to learn from it.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario chairman of Ralph Dietrick tells Brownfield Canada is not the problem for U.S. dairy farmers.  “The problem is not supply management in Canada for the dairy farmers, that’s a penance.  The problem is that there’s too much milk in the system and that’s what needs to be dealt with.”

He says President Trump bringing dairy into NAFTA talks is good for the industry because it means he recognizes something isn’t working.  “He’s thinking that the elimination of our system is a solution to your problems in the states, and really it’s not.  He’s gone partway, he’s recognized the system has to be fixed and that’s good.  Let’s go a little deeper, why is it no good?”

Dietrick says Canada’s supply management system has been in place for more than 50 years and it’s working for farmers, processors consumers and their government.

Dietrick participated in a series of meetings throughout Michigan hosted by the Michigan Farmers Union to talk about how supply management could work in the U.S.

AUDIO: Interview with Ralph Dietrick and Will Vanderhost during Michigan Farmers Union meeting