The European Union along with four other countries are joining the United States in asking their trade representatives to challenge Canada’s dairy pricing policy. They say it breaches Canada’s commitments on export subsidies. Minnesota Milk Producers Association President Dave Buck says having those other countries join the U.S. backs their argument that Canada needs to change their policy.

Representatives of the countries say Canada’s increasingly protectionist policies are diverting trade and depressing global dairy prices. Buck says Canada’s dairy industry been guilty of trade protectionism for some time.

Buck says having fair trade is very important for U.S. dairy producers.

He says it would be helpful if U.S. trade officials can find a solution during the NAFTA modernization talks rather than having to challenge Canada at the WTO.