Which side of farm's supply-management fence are you on?

[styky]

Which side of farm's supply-management fence are you on?
John Ibbitson | Columnist profile | E-mail
Globe and Mail Update
Published Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012 7:00AM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Mar. 13, 2012 8:08AM EDT

Hundreds of comments, emails and tweets greeted Monday’s column, which opined that Stephen Harper might be willing to abandon the supply management system.

That system protects dairy and poultry farmers from foreign competition. The column predicted that the Prime Minister would dismantle these protections if that was the only way to secure access to the Trans Pacific Partnership, an ambitious free trade agreement currently being negotiated among Pacific nations.

We should know the future of supply management by September, when the United States is expected to decide whether it supports this country’s accession to the talks. If Canada is invited to the table, then that means supply management will be on the table.

Many farmers and other supporters argue passionately for continued protection for poultry and dairy, while many economists and business groups strongly condemn it.

So what are those arguments, pro and con? Herewith, a brief primer on the two sides of the dispute. ....................http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/pol ... le2367455/