Feds commit to CUSMA mitigation package

Last week’s Fall Economic Statement addressed a long-standing commitment to Canadian poultry and egg farmers on programming to offset the impact of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

While specific details have yet to be announced, poultry organizations expect that the measures outlined will further bolster the existing Poultry and Egg On-Farm Investment Program (PEFIP), which offers support to farmers as they make ongoing improvements to their operations and enhance the sustainability of their farms.

This reinvestment in poultry sectors benefits all Canadians, and sustains economic activity as farmers purchase new equipment, source green technology, and expand their operations aligned with Canada’s goals to grow our agriculture sector and lower our carbon footprint.

The Fall Economic Statement puts in place the final piece of a process that began in 2017 when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was announced.

Poultry and egg farmers suffered market losses because of CPTPP. These effects were compounded with the conclusion of the CUSMA trade deal when additional concessions were made, further displacing Canadian food items with imported products.

In a joint press release, Egg Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, and Canadian Hatching Egg Producers thanked Prime Minister Trudeau, Deputy Prime Minister Freeland, and Minister Bibeau for fulfilling the government’s promise to our sectors.

However, the release added, there is still more work to be done. Canada’s 4,800 poultry and egg farmers expect the government to uphold its commitment to no additional access to our sectors in future trade agreements and bilateral arrangements.