Trans-Pacific Partnership could harm rural Nova Scotia, says farmer

A Nova Scotia dairy farmer is worried about the impact the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal will have on Canada's supply management system and his business.

Canada is facing pressure from the U.S. and 10 other Pacific Rim trading partners to do away with supply management.

Under supply management, dairy, egg and chicken farmers agree to limit their production levels according to quotas based on market demand, which results in stable, predictable prices. The quotas are administered by marketing boards.

"We wish to have our marketing system intact when the trade pact is signed," Andrew McCurdy, the owner of a dairy farm just outside of Truro, told CBC Radio's Maritime Noon.

At present, high tariffs make it difficult for foreign dairy producers to compete with Canadian producers. McCurdy worries that a free trade agreement will increase imports and offset the need for Canadian milk. He points to cheesemakers as an example.

"Once they lose their market, I don't have their market because they don't need fresh milk," he said.

McCurdy says this would have a huge impact on rural communities and points to the wide variety of professions his farm uses, such as bankers, lawyers, veterinarians, electricians and carpenters.

"The whole community would feel it," said McCurdy.

Critics say supply management inflates prices

He says his biggest concern at the moment is not knowing what is going to happen with trade deal.

Critics of supply management say it inflates the price consumers pay for milk, chicken and egg products, as well as food that uses these ingredients.

McCurdy says the idea that dismantling supply management will lead to reduced prices is not true.