Ontario's agriculture minister says he's in Atlanta this week to protect the supply-management system in the Trans Pacific Partnership talks.
Jeff Leal argues a balanced trade deal could both protect supply-management and create new market opportunities for non-supply-managed agricultural products.
That's the case he says he made with Federal Trade Minister Ed Fast in a meeting earlier this week.
According to Leal - supply management doesn't cost the government any money while also giving both the consumer and producer a fair price.
He also suggests every country in the negotiations has farm and agricultural support programs.
While the provinces are not directly involved in the TPP negotiations, Leal says he's there with a number of other provincial agriculture ministers to make their case to federal officials who are involved.
Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has said there would be compensation available for any supply-managed sectors which end up being impacted by a TPP deal.
Leal argues that a balanced trade agreement that protects supply-management and opens up markets for non-supply-managed sectors would eliminate the need to discuss compensation.
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Leal argues it should be possible to reach what he calls a balanced trade deal - one that's good for both supply-managed and non-supply-managed sectors.
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Leal was asked about Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's suggestion of compensation for any supply-managed sectors which could be damaged by a TPP deal.
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Leal rejects the argument that supply management closes the Canadian dairy market to imports.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/LEAL-TPP-3.mp3"][/audio]
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Leal argues supply-management is important to not only the agriculture sector but to the national economy as well.
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