Harper putting family farms at risk in TPP: Turmel

OTTAWA – November 16, 2011 – NDP Leader Nycole Turmel slammed the Conservatives for putting family farms at risk, saying dairy and poultry producers will fall victim to the Trans-Pacific Partnership under Harper’s plan.

“We know very well that many countries participating in trade talks, including the United States, want to see our supply management system eliminated. The fact is, in order to join in these discussions, the Conservatives will have to put supply management on the table,” she said.

“What price will our producers and their families pay for this wrong-headed TPP agreement?” said Turmel. “Supply management is already an issue of contention in negotiations with the European Union. Before countries as economically powerful as those in the Asia-Pacific, what weight will Canada have?”

Last week, the Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, said it wasn’t in Canada’s best interests to take part in these discussions. Twenty-four hours later, Prime Minister Harper said he supported the project, even though the price of admission was putting supply management on the table.

New Democrats will continue hounding the government until it formally commits to protecting supply management. “This system, which has proven its value, protects our dairy and poultry producers from foreign competition and allows our family farms to survive,” she reminded.

”Canadians want to know what’s actually happening behind the closed doors of trade negotiations," concluded Turmel. "The Harper government is selling out prairie family farms by axing the Wheat Board. We’re not going to let this government take away the tools that Quebec and Ontario farmers rely on to earn their living and feed our population.”