(Diane Kuhl/iStock/Getty Images)

Dates moved up in dairy sector’s CUSMA compensation calendar

Calculation date will shift to Aug. 31

Changes are being made to the timetable for the remainder of the program compensating Canada’s dairy farmers for market share lost to recent multilateral trade deals. The Dairy Direct Payment Program (DDPP), which issued $1.75 billion over four payments from 2019 to 2023 to compensate for the Canada-European Union (CETA) and Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade […] Read more

(Diane Kuhl/iStock/Getty Images)

Tighter timeline set for dairy farmers’ trade pact compensation

Feather sector compensation pledged with $691 million in programs

Compensation to Canada’s supply-managed farmers, to offset domestic market share dealt away in two recent free trade pacts, will now move more quickly to dairy farmers — and will take the form of new programs for feather sectors. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Saturday announced $1.405 billion in compensation, as pledged in August last […] Read more

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EU sets out COVID-19 support for farmers

Moves meant to stabilize markets

Brussels | Reuters — The European Commission proposed measures on Wednesday to support farmers hit by the coronavirus restrictions, including aid to store surplus dairy and meat products. Under the proposals, the Commission will grant aid for private storage of milk powder, butter and cheese as well as beef, sheep and goat meat for a […] Read more

Canadian dairy farmers will get $345 million in direct payments in the first year of an eight-year, $1.75 billion support package. (John Greig photo)

Dairy farmers to get direct cash payment as trade compensation

Canadian dairy farmers will be getting direct cash compensation after the government gave up dairy market access to other countries in recent trade deals. The compensation follows promises by the Trudeau government — and the Harper government before it — that dairy farmers would be compensated in some form for the loss of market. Why […] Read more



A traditional stone barn in Swaledale, Yorkshire. (JayKay57/Getty Images)

Britain outlines post-Brexit farm policy in bill

London | Reuters –– Britain will introduce legislation on Wednesday for agricultural policy after it leaves the European Union that will link support for farmers to the provision of public benefits such as tackling climate change or preserving beautiful landscapes. The Agriculture Bill, primarily covering England, will provide the basis for policy in a sector […] Read more

(Dave Bedard photo)

U.S. maps out tariff-related direct payments to farmers

Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday its farm aid package would include US$4.7 billion in direct payments to farmers to help offset losses from retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports this season. The bulk of the payments, $3.6 billion, would be made to soybean farmers (all figures US$). That amounts […] Read more

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U.S. grains: Soy jumps as U.S. readies aid for farmers

Chicago | Reuters — U.S. soybean futures climbed to two-week highs on Tuesday as the Trump administration said it would provide up to US$12 billion in aid to shield U.S. farmers from economic pain stemming from trade disputes. The program will include direct payments for farmers, and those who grow soybeans are expected to be […] Read more


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Canada to U.S.: Explain that farm spending war chest

Chicago/Geneva | Reuters — Canada wants the United States to explain why its lawmakers have made an additional $30 billion available to support U.S. farmers hit by trade woes, and how Washington might distribute the money, according to a document published by the World Trade Organization on Thursday. The questions come amid growing trade tensions […] Read more

Trade lawyer Peter Clark has studied the level of subsidies available to U.S. dairy farmers. (John Greig photo)

Report pegs U.S. dairy support levels

U.S. dairy farmers continue to benefit from broad agriculture supports, a study shows. Dairy Farmers of Canada has had Grey, Clark, Shih and Associates regularly study the effect of U.S. government policy on dairy farms in that country. The latest version of the project was released at the Dairy Farmers of Canada policy conference held […] Read more