By Tara Henley [1]
BELLEVILLE – In a tentative deal, Canada has become a founding member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership [2], Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced early Monday morning.
This 12-country trading bloc – the largest of its kind – will potentially see a significant drop in tariffs, allowing for more duty-free imports of poultry, egg and dairy products from TPP countries into Canada. Although the government has promised farmers a compensation of $4.3 billion over the next 15 years, many farmers are still uneasy over the deal.
According to a press release [3] from the National Farmers Union [4], the agreement will allow for 3.25 per cent more imports in Canada’s dairy sector. The Conservative government says this will mean cheaper products and a more versatile market.
QNet is speaking to local farmers to find out what they believe the TPP deal means for the Quinte region. More to come.