Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has been closely monitoring Bill C-282, a private members’ bill sponsored by the Bloc Québécois which would amend the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to ensure that supply management will no longer be a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. This bill, carefully studied by the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, would safeguard the sustainability of Canadian dairy, poultry and egg production by preventing further market access concessions in future trade agreements.

On June 21, it was adopted in the House of Commons by a vote of 262-51, receiving support from all parties and every party leader. It will now be referred to the Senate, where the bill will go through a similar legislative process this fall when Parliament resumes.

In a joint press release, DFC – together with Egg Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers – have called on all senators to show their support for Canada’s supply-managed sectors and pass Bill C-282 in the Senate and into law. 

Enacting it will not only strengthen and protect Canada’s essential system of supply management, it will present the opportunity to champion growth within Canada’s agricultural sector and support thousands of jobs and economic activity across our country.

Big wins for Canadian dairy at the World Dairy Innovation Awards

On June 21, DFC was honoured with two World Dairy Innovation Awards at the Global Dairy Congress in London, England. The “Net Zero by 2050 – We’re In” campaign won in both the Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Initiative and Marketing Campaign categories.

“The awards our team have received reflect the positive commitment of Canadian dairy farmers in tackling sustainability,” said Pamela Nalewajek, chief marketing officer for DFC. “Caring for the environment isn’t just confined to one industry or country – it’s everyone’s responsibility. To win on a global stage like this is another example of Canadian dairy’s leadership on the issue.”

Last year, DFC committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with a mission to spread the word on sustainability. Through the “We’re In” campaign, we’re highlighting new and innovative practices to show Canadians how dairy farmers are dedicated to a greener future for everyone. The campaign’s recognition at the World Dairy Innovation Awards shows how Canada’s dairy farmers are working hard to reach this objective. 

The World Dairy Innovation Awards are a celebration of innovation and excellence across every category of the international dairy industry. The winners were announced during the Global Dairy Congress in a special awards ceremony hosted by British-based FoodBev Media.

DFC and partner ALUS invest in nature-based projects on marginal farmland

DFC is sponsoring a one-year New Acre Project pilot with new sustainability partner ALUS that will support farmers in building nature-based projects on marginal farmland. These projects, such as wetlands, grasslands and tree planting, will capture and store carbon while delivering other benefits, like pollinator and wildlife habitat formation and flood and drought mitigation.

The one-year 84-acre New Acre Project pilot sponsorship will help DFC strategically allocate capital to support dairy farmers in implementing nature-based solutions that address local environmental challenges, build dairy sector resilience and offset the carbon footprint of milk production.

ALUS (originally an acronym for Alternative Land Use Services) is a national charitable organization that provides expertise, resources and direct financial support to 38 communities across six provinces where more than 1,600 farmers and ranchers establish and steward nature-based solutions on their land. The New Acre Project is the organization’s corporate environmental, social and corporate governance investment platform, which helps purpose-driven corporations invest in the communities where they do business to generate social and environmental benefits by creating of new acres of nature.

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobbying and promotional organization representing Canadian dairy producers. DFC strives to create stable conditions for the dairy sector in our country. It also seeks to maintain policies that promote the sustainability of Canadian dairy production and promote dairy products and their health benefits. Visit DFC’s website for more information.