Majority of Canadians want their milk to be produced in Canada

New poll commissioned by Dairy Farmers of Canada shows Canadians are passionate about Canadian milk

OTTAWA, July 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Canadians sent a loud and clear message to their politicians in a nationwide poll conducted on behalf of Dairy Farmers of Canada: protect our enforced food safety standards and our Canadian dairy industry while you are negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

More than 70 per cent of the (1,360) people surveyed agreed that it was important for their government to protect our dairy industry. And 89 per cent said it was important, or very important, that the milk products they use come from Canadian farmers.

The Canadian government is currently negotiating an international trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other nations. With crucial meetings taking place this week in Hawaii on the proposed free trade deal, the findings are significant as Canadian negotiators continue to come under pressure to overhaul the way in which dairy products are bought and sold in this country.

Also significant was the finding that more than 80 per cent of Canadians contacted said they didn't mind paying more for milk produced in Canada because it doesn't contain growth hormones.

"This is a clear message to the Government of Canada," said Wally Smith, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "We've been saying all along that Canada's dairy system is worth keeping. And consumers in this country clearly feel the same way."

The poll, conducted by Environics Research, is considered to be accurate plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.

Almost nine in ten Canadians (86%), said they were concerned about lowering Canada's food safety and quality standards. "Canadian milk is produced according to standards that are among the highest in the world for safety and quality, and it's because of supply management that these standards are enforced," said Smith. "Canadians don't want to see a free trade agreement threaten that."

Canadians can learn more about the threat to Canada's dairy system and tell their MP how they feel about those potential changes by visiting www.canadianmilkmatters.ca

About Dairy Farmers of Canada

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry, today and in the future. DFC works to maintain policies that foster the viability of Canadian dairy farms and to promote quality Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk as part of a healthy balanced diet. Visit www.dairyfarmers.ca for more information.

SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Canada (Corporate)

Isabelle Bouchard, Communications and Government Relations Director, Dairy Farmers of Canada, [phone]