The agriculture ministers of Quebec and Ontario will shadow Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast at trade talks in Atlanta as a reminder that the government promised to preserve the integrity of Canada’s dairy supply management system, says Canadian Press. The dairy industry also is sending its monitors. “Quebec Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis said there’s concern that Canada is facing undue pressure from other countries and that without the presence of the provinces and industry, the negotiators could give up too much.” The dairy industry says it has suffered as a result of a Canada-EU trade agreement that opened the cheese market to European cheese. Among issues for TPP talks are marketing openings in Japan and Canada for agricultural imports.
The meeting of trade ministers in Atlanta on Wednesday and Thursday coincides with the run-up to parliamentary elections in Canada. “The Conservatives appear poised to use any deal sealed on the TPP to their advantage on the campaign trail,” said Canadian Press.