Eastern Townships, Quebec – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced today that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has mailed letters to all dairy producers that gives them directions on how to access the second payment under the Dairy Direct Payment Program. Dairy farmers will receive, on the basis of their milk quota, cash payments of $468 million in 2020-21, $469 million in 2021-22, and $468 million in 2022-23. In order to receive their payments, producers must register for the program through the Canadian Dairy Commission prior to March 31, 2021.
This next step builds on the Minister’s announcement on November 28, 2020 to deliver the promised full and fair compensation valued at $1.75 billion to dairy producers for the market access concessions made under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) over the course of four years instead of eight.
The Government of Canada is also moving forward with consultations with chicken, egg, turkey and hatchery egg sector representatives on the design of the $691-million, 10-year compensation programs, which were also announced by Minister Bibeau in November 2020. Responding to sector demands, these programs will help drive innovation and market development for farmers. Consultations are expected to conclude early this year, and program details will be announced as soon as possible.
Minister Bibeau made the announcement during roundtable discussions today with supply-managed farmers from the Quebec towns of Southwest Monteregie, Vaudreuil, Hudson, Rigaud, Magog, Brome and Granby alongside Member of Parliament for Châteauguay—Lacolle, Brenda Shanahan, Member of Parliament for Vaudreuil—Soulanges, Peter Schiefke, and Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Lyne Bessette. Discussions also focused on challenges supply-managed farmers are facing, intergenerational transfers, sustainability and the environment.
The Government of Canada recognizes that Canada’s supply managed farmers are drivers of the Canadian agriculture sector and the economy. Canadian farmers continue to deliver the best quality products to our grocery store shelves and kitchen tables, while continuing to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strength of the sector is essential to the vitality of our farms and rural regions across the country.
Source : Government of Canada