About Canada
In Canada, the theory that “Bigger is Better” guides rural economic development. The very people who are elected to protect citizens and act in their best interests are the same people who are pushing the expansion of the livestock industry. Our governments -- federal, provincial, and local -- are, for the most part, opening their doors to intensive livestock operations. The result is intense local battles that pit neighbour against neighbour all across rural Canada, as people try to protect their communities from environmental, social, and economic harm from these mega-barns.
Over the last few years, Canada has seen a great deal of expansion both in the hog and beef industries. As proposals were being turned down and environmental regulations became stricter in the United States, companies began to expand into Canada, starting in Quebec and working their way out west to the Prairie Provinces. Provincial governments set up policies, laws and regulations that favoured the development of industrial livestock production. Local officials rolled out the welcome mat proclaiming their communities had lots of land and water, but few people and fewer regulations to get in the way of new and bigger barns. In response, neighbours educated themselves about the negative impacts to water, air, land, health, and economics and organized to fight for their quality of life. Often, local officials were also the promoters and were able to get proposals underway behind closed doors before the rest of the community found out what was going on. In spite of the power lined up behind the intensive livestock industry, many communities have successfully defeated mega barn projects, and one has even gotten an operating barn closed down.
Concerning dairy in Canada, we have a supply management system. This prevents over-production, wastage and price wars. The amount of milk produced in Canada is set each year by the Canadian Dairy Commission to reflect total demand for industrial milk and cream. Dairy farmers receive a price for their milk that covers their cost of production, but they are not allowed to sell more than their quota allotment, which is a portion of the national milk production. [In the 12 months ending March 31, 2006, Canadian requirements were 4,753 million litres (1,045 million gallons, or 1,256 million US gal.).]
Farmers can buy and sell quota units from each other, and price reflects supply and demand. The price of quota has gotten so high that in order to recover their investment producers are practically forced to use cost-cutting factory farming methods. The size of dairy farms has increased slightly over the years, but the dairy sector in Canada is still dominated by family farms.
The size of dairy farms is limited because of our supply management system, but it also makes it harder for small, less intensive dairy farms to survive. The cost of quota keeps many beginning farmers out altogether. Quota rules also require farmers to deliver a uniform quantity year-round. This eliminates seasonal production where the farmer milks only during spring and summer when the cows' highest nutrition needs can be met on pasture.
Food inspection regulations require that milk sold to the public must be pasteurized in a federally inspected dairy. So far, only BC, Ontario, and Quebec have certified organic dairies to process organic milk, severely limiting the potential for organic dairy Canada. Organic Milk Production in 2004-2005 was only 35 million litres, with 53% of production in Quebec, 29% in Ontario and 18% British Columbia.
Dairy farmers are well organized in Canada. Together with many other citizens' groups, they have stopped the approval of rBGH for use in dairy herds in Canada. The victory means that fluid milk, yogurt, cheese, etc. produced and sold in Canada is free of the genetically modified growth hormone. However, foods containing less than 50% milk can be imported from the USA and may well contain rBGH milk .
