Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his
opposition to proposed regulations that would create a barrier for New
York’s dairy farmers exporting a key New York dairy product to Canada.
In a letter to Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, the Governor
called on the Canadian Government to develop a national agreement that
will mutually benefit trade across borders. If proposed provincial
standards are implemented across Canada, they could result in a $50
million market loss for New York's dairy industry.
"New York's dairy sector is an essential
part of our agricultural industry, and these regulations could have
devastating effects on our dairy farmers and their families," Governor Cuomo said. "I
urge our Canadian neighbors to reconsider these potentially harmful
regulations and to continue our courteous, mutually beneficial trade
relations."
The Governor's letter coincided with the 25th Tri-National Agricultural Accord, held last week in the City of Niagara
Falls, Ontario, Canada. The Tri-National Agricultural Accord provides a
forum for the United States, Canada and Mexico to work together toward
shared priorities and discuss important topics, including climate
change, trade and the expansion of food processing sectors.
The Governor's actions are in direct
response to the Province of Ontario and the Canadian Milk Supply
Management Committee’s regulatory plans, which include the Ontario Class
6 regulation and the proposed establishment of a new National
Ingredient Strategy that could effectively restrict New York exports of
ultra-filtered milk. Ultra-filtered milk is a protein-rich type of skim
milk and is primarily used in the production of cheese and yogurt. The
letter calls on the Canadian government to confirm that Ontario’s Class 6
regulations and the Canadian National Ingredients Strategy are both
consistent with existing World Trade Organization policies and the North
American Free Trade Agreement.
Over the course of the last several months,
New York State has made several attempts to find a solution agreeable to
both parties. During a recent visit to Canada, New York Lieutenant
Governor Kathy Hochul raised the concerns of New York State with
Canadian officials, and in August, New York Commissioner of Agriculture
Richard Ball sent a letter to his counterpart in the Province of
Ontario, outlining the critical nature of the proposal and its effects
on New York State. Commissioner Ball attended the Tri-National
Agricultural Accord last week to raise New York State's concerns in
person.
New York exports more to Canada than to any
other country in the world. Last year, the bilateral trade relationship
totaled $32.93 billion in goods and supported over 500,000 jobs
regionally. New York’s dairy industry is the State’s largest
agricultural sector. With more than 5,000 farms, the majority of which
are family-run operations, the dairy industry supports the framework of
the agricultural economy. The dairy community brought in $2.5 billion in
sales, and the dairy industry hired almost 20,000 people in New York in
2015. New York’s dairy products also account for at least 50 percent of
all New York State agricultural commodities exported internationally.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said,
"I have raised this issue with numerous Canadian leaders at the highest
levels on behalf of Governor Cuomo and New York State’s dairy
producers. Dairy is one of the most important agricultural industries in
New York State. These proposed regulations would be detrimental to
farmers, their families and the relationship with our strongest
international trading partners."
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "New
York’s dairy farmers rely heavily on the export of their products and
we need to do what we can to ensure they continue to have a home for
their milk. We are hopeful the Canadian government, as it weighs its
options, will take into account its long and successful trade
partnership with New York, and act to resolve this issue that would be
detrimental to our agricultural industry."
Congressman Charles B. Rangel said, "I
am pleased to see Governor Cuomo take action to address the Canadian
Dairy regulations that would have an adverse impact on the economy of
New York and our nation’s dairy farmers. He is supported by 22
bicameral, bipartisan members of the New York Congressional Delegation
who sent a letter to President Barack Obama in September expressing our
concerns. We will work together to make sure that trade agreements do
not harm workers or industries in our own backyard."
Click here to view the letter Governor Cuomo submitted to Prime Minister Trudeau.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
No comments:
Post a Comment