The Canadian Press: Politicians want more competition but supply management still a ‘sacred cow’

Fiona Odlum — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 19:17:03 +0000

As a result, Ryan Cardwell, an agricultural economics professor at the University of Manitoba, doesn’t put much stock in what elected officials have to say on the subject.

“On one hand, they talk about food affordability, and (on) the other hand, they have a government-sanctioned cartel in staple foods,” Cardwell said.

“So, it’s talk. I don’t give it much credence.”

Canada’s supply management system sets prices for products and puts controls on production and imports to protect domestic farmers from foreign competition, guard against price volatility for their products and stabilize production levels.

First introduced in the dairy industry in the 1960s before expanding into eggs and poultry, the system exists in lieu of subsidies, which are common in the agricultural sector around the world.

UM TodaySupply management – UM Today

The Canadian Press: Politicians want more competition but supply management still a ‘sacred cow’