Alan Renwick, Lincoln University, New Zealand and David Dean, Lincoln University, New Zealand
Fonterra’s plan to sell its consumer brands came as a surprise. But there is logic to the dairy giant focusing on selling to the food industry rather than directly to consumers.
A disfiguring disease of cattle and buffalo has arrived on our doorstep. We need to keep lumpy skin disease out of Australia, while preparing for the almost inevitable outbreak.
If Canada wishes to preserve domestic farms and enhance food security, officials must have limits on what they can concede to American and other foreign interests.
Pressure is mounting on Australia’s dairy farmers, from farm gate prices to animal welfare concerns, and technology that could produce milk without cows.
New Zealand’s dairy industry is arguing consumers are being misled if the term “milk” is used for plant-based products such as almond or coconut milk, but consumers are savvier than that.
Dairy proteins may be the next product to be mass produced in labs, for use in fluid “milk” production and processed dairy products like yogurt and cheese.
Countries that have phased out supply management systems in the dairy industry have seen an initial spike in production, then a steady decline. That’s why Canada should protect its dairy farmers.
The USMCA, while imperfect, is overall a positive development for Canada. It has a number of structural elements that may very well leave us stronger when negotiating trade pacts in the future.
Donald Trump has described NAFTA as the worst trade deal ever signed by the United States. As NAFTA talks continue, here’s what Canada and Mexico can do if the unthinkable happens.