Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), an Ottawa, Ontario-based national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canada’s dairy farmers, said it is watching closely as Canada rejoins the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations following an agreement in principle on a bilateral “US-Mexico Trade agreement” announced yesterday. DFC is awaiting further details from the Canadian government as to how Canada will re-engage as part of the negotiation.

DFC representatives will be heading to Washington this week. 

"We will continue to advocate to ensure Canadian dairy farmers not be negatively impacted as a consequence of any trade agreement," said Pierre Lampron, president of DFC. 

Canada's dairy farmers are counting on the Canadian government's leadership to ensure that Canada’s right to determine and administer its own domestic policies continues to be respected, DFC said.

A recent Nanos Research poll revealed that the majority of Canadians support the supply management system and almost two in three Canadians think the government should strongly defend the dairy sector during NAFTA negotiations. The poll also uncovered that nearly eight in 10 Canadians would look favorably on politicians who defend Canada's dairy sector in NAFTA negotiations, DFC said.