The new trade pact between the USA, Canada and Mexico has caused grave concern among dairy farmers in Manitoba and the whole of Canada.
The new agreement is called USMCA. It will greatly simplify the access of foreign manufacturers of dairy products to the domestic market of Canada. According to most Canadian farmers, this deal will have a very negative impact on the growth rate of the dairy industry in the country. The unimpeded access of foreign products will significantly reduce dairy production in most provinces.
The opinion was expressed by the vice president of one of the cheese companies Wally Smith. He is very concerned about the new mechanism of increased access to markets. He stated that his company is currently conducting calculations of the economic consequences of the new agreement. He also noted that he is very proud of the products of his company, which are entirely manufactured in Manitoba and are represented throughout Canada, and now he is afraid of their future.
Smith also urged Canadian consumers to continue to choose domestic producers of dairy products after increasing access to the market for American producers. Many experts believe that the agreement will have a negative impact not only on dairy farmers but also on the entire Canadian farming sector. One of the farmers noted that many of them are making significant investments to expand their facilities and increase capacity, and the current situation could turn into a catastrophe for them.
There is an opinion that despite the farmers' discontent, the deal may be profitable for Canadian consumers. An adviser for the National Bank stated that it could lead to lower prices in stores. He said that the emergence of new suppliers of dairy products will increase competition in the market and reduce the prices of goods of American and Canadian manufacturers, from which buyers will benefit.
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