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MacAuley optimistic about NAFTA

Canada’s Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay remains optimistic about the NAFTA re-negotiations.  “I just had a great conversation with Sonny Perdue, and he understands fully the value of trade and what is done, and we do too.  And, we just want to see that it progresses.”

U.S. Dairy Export Council President Tom Vilsack tells Brownfield many NAFTA issues are unresolved, including U.S. access to Canadian dairy markets.  “It appears as if those talks have stalled over the big issues, and unfortunately because they’ve stalled over the big issues, they have not gotten to the specific issue that dairy is concerned about.”

MacAulay tells Brownfield their position remains unchanged.  “Well as you’re fully aware no doubt, and I’ve said, and our government has said many times, we have, ah, we are the party that put supply management together and we’re going to support it.  We’re going to take care of our farmers, as many other countries do.”

MacAulay also supports Canada’s Class 7 pricing system which he says was put together by Canada’s processors and not the government.