Sarnia

Ag Minister Says TPP Negotiations Require 'Balance'

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the government is looking for a balanced outcome in the Trans Pacific Partnership talks.

While he says the government has always shown concern for supply management in it's trade negotiations, he says it's also important to balance that with the concerns of the country's producers who rely largely on export markets.

Delegates to the recent Dairy Farmers of Canada annual meeting passed a resolution calling on the government to make no concessions on supply management in the TPP negotiations.

Ritz says the trickiest parts of those negotiations will likely be handled at a ministerial summit scheduled for later this month in Hawaii.

===

Ritz was asked about a DFC resolution in support of supply management after the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Prince Edward Island.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/RITZ-SM-1.mp3"][/audio]

===

Ritz says the U-S government's move to give President Obama Fast Track authorization in the negotiations has reinvigorated the process.

[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/RITZ-SM-2.mp3"][/audio]

Read More Local Stories

Province providing Family Service Kent $586K

The funding will be used to expand the organization's Senior Trustee Program, which provides trusted, practical financial support to seniors experiencing cognitive decline, isolation, or financial vulnerability.

Detail blue line with puck on ice hockey rink. © Can Stock Photo / fotoduki

Scoreboard, Nov. 14

Loads of local hockey action, and Canada punched a ticket to the semis of the IIHF Women's World Championship.