As tensions between the United States and Canada continue to grow, Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darrin Von Ruden says the breakdown in trade negotiations could have real consequences for dairy-producing states. He says a prolonged dispute and potential Canadian retaliation could threaten key dairy export markets relied upon by states like Wisconsin.
“It would be because number one, we’ve got an oversupply of milk here in the state of Wisconsin for what our population is. So we do export a lot of our good, high quality cheeses and dairy products to not only other states, but other countries too. Looking at especially butter, which comes out of central Wisconsin, they need that Canadian market to help offset some of that demand that we just don’t feel here in the U.S. And so if they’re going to target specific states, I would imagine it’s going to be the top dairy producing states, not the small producing states.”
Von Ruden says years of cooperation between farmers on both sides of the border are also at risk as trade tensions escalate.
“Yeah. And that’s the frustration that farmers feel on both sides of the border, because we’ve built those friendships, those relationships, and want to make sure that we are treating each other equally. And having the bully attitude that the U.S. government’s currently taking and not really listening to the consumers and the farmers of both countries is very disappointing.”
While some have criticized Canada’s supply management system, Von Ruden says many American farmers see value in policies designed to provide stability and stronger returns for producers.
“Well, you know, they’re certainly right to say that, but certainly the national integrity of the Canadian milk supply mechanism is something that they feel dearly and want to protect for the security of their farmers. And so should we not as a nation here in the U.S. be looking at a system that’s going to protect farmers versus continuing to see dairy farmers go out of business at the rate that we are here in the U.S.?”