Covid-19: Canada to help dairy sector

The Canadian Government has announced its support to the dairy sector impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of this initiative, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that government is planning to amend the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) Act to and increase the borrowing limit of CDC to C$200m to facilitate temporary storage of cheese and butter while avoiding food wastage.

CDC is a Crown corporation, which administers milk production control mechanisms to ensure production shortages or surpluses. It provides a framework for managing the sector, which is a shared federal and provincial responsibility.

Canada Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau said: “With C$200m in increased lending capacity, the Canadian Dairy Commission can provide stronger support for the supply management system by buying and storing more butter and cheese.

“It’s a great way to help manage production and to support our producers and processors while ensuring a secure supply of local dairy products for Canadians.”

With new amendments being adopted Parliament, CDC’s borrowing limit is increased from C$300m to C$500m.

Through these measures, the government aims to support the country’s dairy producers and processors and ensure that Canadians have access to good, affordable food.

The outbreak of Covid-19 is reported to have significantly impacted the Canadian dairy sector and led to fluctuations in the demand for many dairy products.

Earlier this month, the Canadian Government agreed to support the country’s fish harvesters impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of this initiative, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a package of up to C$469.4m ($334m) in new measures to support the country’s fish harvesters.

The government anticipates that the support to the fish harvesters will help them to provide fish and seafood to the people across the nation.