New Democrats urge federal action to protect cherry farmers

CASTLEGAR, BC – Canadian cherry producers are experiencing a bumper crop but bad trade deals will actually see them lose money this year. “Cherries from the U.S. are being sold in Canada at prices our farmers cannot compete against,” said Alex Atamanenko, New Democrat Agriculture critic. “This is just plain wrong and completely unfair.”

The BC Southern Interior MP has written to the federal Minister of Agriculture urging him to take action even if it means risking trade action. “Trade deal or no trade deal, the U.S. wouldn’t hesitate to slap a tariff on our produce if it meant protecting their producers,” noted Atamanenko. “It’s time for us to do the same.”

According to the BC MP prior to NAFTA Canada had in-season border tariffs and ship dates that protected fruit and vegetable producers at harvest time. “In those days our farmers weren’t being undercut at a critical time and were able to make a living while supplying us with good quality local food,” noted Atamanenko. “That is no longer the case and because we insist on following the rules to the letter our farmers continue to be hurt.”

The New Democrat MP has been on a nation-wide “Food for Thought” tour listening to what people have to say about Canada’s food system. “One of the key messages I am hearing is that our so called Free Trade Agreements have drastically interfered with the ability of our farmers to make a living,” added Atamanenko. “The other theme that I hear right across the country is that we need to rewrite the rules and make food sovereignty the fundamental basis of our trade deals.”

Atamanenko says that the time has come for bold action to regain control over Canada’s food system. “It is ludicrous that in a year in which we have one of the best crops ever, Canadian producers will actually lose money because Washington State cherries are allowed to flood our market,” stated Atamanenko. “We need to pressure our federal government to protect our food sovereignty and create conditions for farmers to earn a living.

“I would like to urge all citizens to take action by making it clear to super market chains that they will only buy Canadian cherries,’ concluded the New Democrat Agriculture Critic.