The Chair of Dairy Farmers of Canada says it's time to consider CETA separately from the TPP as far as compensation is concerned.
Wally Smith says his members were disappointed there was no mention of compensation for the supply-managed sector in the recent federal budget.
The previous Conservative government had promised compensation for the impact of both CETA and the TPP.
While the ratification of the TPP is still in the works, Smith points out CETA has moved into the realm of what he calls imminent reality.
He argues the CETA concessions represent a market loss for farmers and cheesemakers of up to 300 million dollars a year.
He adds it is unacceptable to the industry that the sector would have to prove losses as a result of the European trade deal before any compensation was committed to.
Smith is calling for a clear commitment from the government that when those CETA-related losses begin, the promised compensation will be there.
