Mr. Speaker, the Canadian dairy industry has just won an important victory.
The WTO has reversed a decision made earlier this year by a special panel of that body which, as the result of a complaint by the United States and New Zealand, held that Canada was subsidizing its dairy exports.
This decision, according to some, posed a long term threat to the entire system of supply management so dear to agriculture.
The Minister for International Trade and Liberal member for Papineau—Saint-Denis had no qualms about calling this a victory, saying “This decision is very favourable to Canada, which will be able to continue exporting its dairy products”.
I thank the dairy industry and the producers and processors who joined with the Government of Canada in presenting a solid case and bringing about this success.
I thank them for their work.