Quebec farmers, cows protest ahead of federal leaders' debate

Quebec dairy farmers thrust theirfight over supply management into the election spotlighttoday,bringing a pair of cowsto the site of tonight's federal leaders debate.

Protesters gathered on the front lawn of CBC'sMontreal headquarters, Maison Radio-Canada, holding up signs calling for the federal government to support local agriculture.

Quebecaccounts forhalf of Canada'sdairyfarms, and representatives from the industry are concerned about the potential impact of the proposed 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The United States, Australia and New Zealand have beenpushing for greateraccess to Canada's dairy sector in particular.

The question of whether to loosen supplymanagementof the dairy sector and by how much has been met by strong opposition from dairy farmers and could have major political ramifications in Quebec.

Lifting dairy restrictionsas part of the TPP agreement would be another blow to the local industry, he said.

"Producers have good reason to be suspicious," Letendre said.

The abolition of Canada'sdairysupply management system would threaten 4,500 to 6,000 farms and up to 24,000 direct jobs across the country, according to a studycommissioned bydairyco-operative Agropur.

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