Statement on the CITT Decision of BalanceCo vs the President of Canada Border Services Agency

OTTAWA, May 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Dairy Farmers of Canada strongly supported BalanceCo in its effort to get the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) to enforce the trade rules that are currently on the books — rules that strengthen the Canadian economy and uphold the principles that have been negotiated by governments for a robust and rules-based trading system.

Today's decision by the CITT should be as concerning to government as it is to Dairy Farmers of Canada. CITT has decided that domestic industry is not in a position to raise issues about the clear breaches such as direct circumvention of the trade rules.

It is DFC's position that dairy products should be treated as dairy products. The government has a clear policy of support for supply management. DFC expects the federal government will continue to demonstrate its clear role in upholding the mechanisms that support the system.

We will review today's ruling in the days ahead and will make decisions on possible courses of action shortly.

SOURCE: DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA (CORPORATE)

Thérèse Beaulieu
Assistant Director, Strategic Communications
613-236-9997 x 2751
C : 613-371-5023