Government of Canada announces new working groups for dairy, poultry and egg sectors

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, announced October 29 that working groups have been established for the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sectors to help them develop strategies to fully and fairly support farmers and processors to help them adjust to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These groups will also discuss support to reflect the impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) may have on these sectors.

The working groups are comprised of dairy, poultry and egg farmers as well as processors.  While informal engagement has already begun with the dairy, poultry and egg sectors, the working groups bring together officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), representatives from national dairy, poultry and egg organizations and associations, as well as regional representatives.

The structure of the working groups is comprised of two components:

A working group that will collaborate to develop mitigation strategies to fully and fairly support farmers and processors to help them adjust to the short-term impacts of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It will also discuss support to reflect the impact of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); and, A separate working group that will chart a path forward to help the dairy, poultry and egg sectors innovate and remain an important source of jobs and economic growth for future generations. Supporting expertise to the working group may also include academic leaders, as well as industry and financial experts, as necessary.

The federal government said it will also engage with provincial and territorial governments on an ongoing basis throughout the process.