April 16, 2021

Canada allocates US$550 million to assist poultry and egg farmers

Canada's Ministry of Agriculture announced federal support of CAD 691 million (~US$550 million; CAD 1 = US$0.80) will be allocated to 4,800 turkey, chicken, and egg farmers over 10 years to offset losses from a trade deal allowing additional imports of poultry and eggs, the Toronto Star reported.

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) free trade deal allowed more imports of poultry and eggs. The CPTTP is a free trade deal with 10 Asia Pacific countries.

The announcement by the ministry comes after CAD 1.4 billion (~US$1.1 billion) was guaranteed to dairy farmers over the next three years from December 2020 as compensation for the impact of recent trade deals.

The support will direct CAD 630 million (~US$502 million) to poultry and egg farmers by funding operation improvements, CAD 36.5 million (~US$29 million) for promotional activities for turkey farmers and CAD 25 million (~US$19.9 million) for promotional activities for chicken farmers.

19 million dozen more eggs can be imported into Canada annually under the CPTPP. 

- Toronto Star