Canadian dairy farmers say an international trade agreement being negotiated this week could cause foreign milk to pour into Canada, and put them out of business.
Peter Ruiter, is a second generation dairy farmer in Ottawa, at Blackrapids Farm. He's concerned that his family business could soon be in trouble.
Currently supply management protects his bottom line, giving farmers a stable price for what they produce.
Ruiter is worried Canada is on the verge of allowing foreign dairy into the country and diluting the now protected market.
“I don't know if my farm would survive,” says Ruiter. “I'm a family farm.”
Canadian farmers are keeping a close eye on an international trade deal being negotiated this week in Hawaii, that could affect supply management.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership would promote free trade between 12 Pacific Rim countries, and it is an agreement the Canadian government wants to be a part of.
Some argue that an end to supply management will bring down the price of milk on store shelves, but farmers say those savings will likely never get passed on to consumers.
Ruiter also says the quality of those imported products may not be what Canadian consumers expect.
