Minister Bibeau invites dairy producers to quickly complete the form they received from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada so that they can receive, before March 31, 2021, the second payment as compensation for the free trade signed with the Canada-European Union and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

This new step follows the November 28 announcement in which Minister Bibeau explained that the amount of $ 1.75 billion promised to dairy producers in the summer of 2019 would be paid to them in the form of direct payments over a period of four years, instead of eight years. An average farm of 80 cows therefore received an initial payment of approximately $ 28,000 last year and will receive three more annual payments of approximately $ 38,000.

Minister Bibeau also confirmed that she was confident to quickly make available the $ 691 million envelope dedicated to poultry and egg producers to offset the same two first agreements. They should soon have access to the investment and marketing assistance programs they request.

The government also intends to honor its commitment to processors of products under supply management and continue with compensations to producers and processors for the agreement with the United States and Mexico.

The Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food made the announcement during an online roundtable with producers under supply management. Discussions also focused on the challenges faced by agricultural producers, like the impacts of the pandemic, the fight against climate change and the importance of facilitating intergenerational transfers.

"Our government recognizes the importance of the supply management system for the economy of our rural area and we are now committed not only to protecting it, but also not to give up on any other market share when negotiating forthcoming free trade agreements.” added the Minister and Compton-Stanstead MP.