Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre on Wednesday confirmed his position on the controversial Supply Management Agreement (SMA), which controls how much dairy a farmer can sell.
Speaking at a press conference in Montmagny, QC, a region rich with dairy farmers, Poilievre commended the previous Conservative government under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper for their commitment to controlling the dairy, poultry and eggs industries.
When asked about the issue, Poilievre responded that he would support farmers — and indicated he has no plans to cancel the agreement which has been widely criticized as the “dairy cartel.”
The SMA tacks on a 250% to 300% tariff to dairy, poultry and eggs, which drives up the price of these items in Canada and prevents them from being sold internationally. Farmers pay a steep price to qualify for a quota, i.e. how much milk they can produce, and anything above that goes to waste.
Video footage circulating on social media over the last few years shows Canadian farmers dumping huge amounts of milk because they’ve reached their “quota” and are ineligible to sell it.
“We will defend our farmers well in all sectors, including supply managed sectors,” said Poilievre.
“When the Conservatives were in power previously, we had an opportunity to sign free trade agreements with dozens of countries around the world, without ever abandoning the supply management system.”
“And I will act exactly the same way when I am prime minister.”
“I will defend farmers when it comes to supply management, and protect the regions of Quebec.”
