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Dairy still unresolved at TPP talks

As of late Friday afternoon, dairy policy remained a sticking point at the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations in Hawaii. Reports say Canada has made nothing more than a token offer but no formal proposal to open its market. As a result the Australian Broadcasting Company says the United States stated that if Canada doesn’t increase access to U.S. dairy, the U.S. will not increase access for New Zealand.

Dairy Farmers of Canada president Wally Smith says Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast solemnly pledged to dairy farmers in a late-night Wednesday meeting the government would protect their industry from harm. The Trade Minister’s press secretary told the Globe and Mail the finger pointing is just Washington’s attempt to redirect pressure from countries who want more access to the U.S. market.