Canada farmers, upset over trade talks, take cows to Parliament

By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Unhappy Canadian dairy farmers
parked dozens of tractors in central Ottawa and walked their
cows down the main street opposite Parliament on Tuesday to
protest trade talks they said could cripple them.
Canada is one of 12 Pacific Rim countries trying to nail
down a trade deal in Atlanta this week. The United States, New
Zealand and Australia want Canada to start dismantling a system
of tariffs that keep domestic prices high and imports expensive.
Farmers said they would be flooded by cheap foreign milk if
the so-called supply management system were to end. The issue
could cost the ruling Conservatives crucial rural votes in what
looks set to be a hotly contested election on Oct 19.
"If they bring in so much milk from the States our Canadian
market will be flooded pretty easily ... it's stressful to think
that the government will sell us out to the Americans," said
Chris Ryan as he struggled to control his cow Ninja.
"I'm usually a Conservative voter but this year I don't
think I'll be going for them," said Ryan, who comes from St.
Isidore to the east of Ottawa. The area is currently represented
by the Conservatives.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has said Canada must sign
onto the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade
pact, said on Tuesday that Ottawa would defend supply management
but gave no details of what concessions Canada might make.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership seeks to cut trade barriers
and set common standards for 40 percent of the world economy and
will be a legacy-defining achievement for U.S. President Barack
Obama.
"They don't see how it affects the farmers, they just see
the big picture," said farmer Travis McFadden from Navan to the
east of Ottawa, which is also represented by a Conservative
legislator.
This week the federal farm, fisheries and natural resources
ministers released statements from industry groups saying it was
crucial for Canada to be part of TPP.