In a similar manner to CETA, TRQ administration is very important to ensure these products are imported in a manner that is coherent with supply management and which helps preserve the stability of the Canadian marketplace for milk and dairy products. This is particularly true for butter since the agreement will prevent the Canadian Dairy Commission from importing the TPP butter TRQ as it currently does for the WTO TRQ. Clarification is needed about who will be able to import as well as the role the CDC can play to ensure that the impacts of the agreement are limited.
While we are pleased with Canada's compositional standards for cheese were preserved in the TPP agreement, we do have some concerns with respect to whether or not Canadian regulations and standards will be applied to imported goods. The growth hormone rBST, for example, is banned in Canada but remains in use in other countries.
In addition, some of the labelling requirements for sugar, sodium, and trans fat content mentioned in the Minister of Health's mandate letter are different from country to country. These have important implications for Canadian businesses, which could be placed at a competitive disadvantage if importers do not face the same regulations. It would also create confusion for Canadian consumers who might struggle with products not made to the higher Canadian standards.