Canada's Dairy Decision Shows Benefit Of Multilateral Rules

Canada's decision to dismantle a dairy subsidy programme shows the benefits of a multilateral approach to resolving international disagreements, says Progressive MP Matt Robson.

In December, the World Trade Organization ruled that Canada had continued to provide export subsidies to its dairy exporters, contrary to its WTO commitments.

Notification of a solution to the dispute, however, has now been lodged by New Zealand and Canada at the WTO.

"This is excellent news for New Zealand and great news for the multilateral system. It shows that disputes can be resolved between nations via an internationally accepted rules-based system," Matt Robson said.

"A multilateral system of setting and enforcing fair trade rules suits New Zealand. The alternative would be no rules at all, and that would seriously disadvantage small, trading nations like New Zealand, costing us jobs and prosperity," Matt Robson said.

Terrorism and unstable regimes around the world flourish in conditions of poverty.

Fair trading rules, such as those enforced by the WTO on dairying, make the world more prosperous, and therefore more secure, Matt Robson said.

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