New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. Raising Concerns Over Canadian Dairy Protein

Representatives from the dairy industries in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States have raised significant concerns about Canadian dairy protein being "disposed of" on the international market. Although no formal complaint has been filed, these stakeholders are alerting their governments to address these actions by Canada.

The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ), along with U.S. and Australian counterparts, have urged their governments to take action against the effects of Canada's market practices. A letter sent to trade and agriculture ministers in New Zealand called for coordinated efforts to tackle the export mechanisms that enable Canada to flood world markets, underpricing surplus milk protein as a result of their supply management system.

Kimberly Crewther, Executive Director of DCANZ, stated that this approach contradicts Canada's international trade obligations, similar to past abuses of World Trade Organization (WTO) export regulations. New Zealand has been facing continued challenges to gain access to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) dairy quotas with Canada, further complicating international trade relations.

The Dairy Farmers of Canada has not issued new comments on the issue, underscoring the absence of a formal complaint. As international discussions proceed, all eyes remain on Canada to maintain its trade commitments in the dairy sector.