The true cost of cheaper U.S. milk coming to Canada

Everything comes with a cost attached, including the cheaper U.S. fluid milk now coming into Canada.

In this instance, it is the number of dairy farmers in the U.S. being put out of business because they cannot produce milk for less than what it cost to produce. Their milk price has been driven down due to oversupply as farmers produce even more milk attempting to offset the lower price received.

That downward price spiral will only be reversed when supply meets demand, eliminating the surplus. That balance has long been achieved in Canada through supply management. Although far from being a perfect system, it has brought improved standards and stability to the industry.

Food costs in Canada are already the cheapest in the world. How much less value can be placed on food and have those producing it make a living?

In their attempt to drive costs lower, U.S. dairy farmers are permitted to inject milking cows with hormones to squeeze more milk out of them — a practice rejected by both industry and government here.

Everything comes with a cost and consequences, whether it is cheap clothing from child labour factories in Bangladesh or milk sold for less than it cost to produce.

When raising a glass of milk to toast Donald Trump for forcing surplus U.S. milk into Canada, know the truth and the consequences attached to cheaper U.S. milk. Or what is in it for that matter. Bob Reid, Bright, Ont.