The President of Dairy Farmers of Canada is calling on the federal government to enforce existing standards on what's called diafiltered milk.
Wally Smith says Canadian dairy farmers are disappointed with the lack of action on enforcement of the cheese standards which have been in place since 2008.
Those standards require a minimum percentage of the protein used in cheese-making be sourced from milk.
However, DFC argues some processors are using milk protein substances - such as diafiltered milk - as part of that minimum percentage of milk in cheese-making.
Smith points out diafiltered milk comes into the country tariff free because it's not classified as milk under the Customs Tariff Schedule.
Because more ingredients are being used in cheese-making than are allowed under the composition standards, Dairy Farmers of Canada says less Canadian milk is being used, costing this country's farmers money.
Smith says the solution for the government is simple - enforce the standards that are already on the books.
