Trade restriction could hurt NY dairies

BATAVIA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A new trade restriction with Canada could cut into western New York dairy industry and its burgeoning yogurt businesses.

Canada is thinking about limiting the amount of dairy products it imports. New York Senator Chuck Schumer told members of the local dairy industry on Monday he will fight to stop trade barriers from going up.

Schumer visited the O-AT-KA Milk Products Cooperative in Batavia, which is just completing a $16 million expansion. Any cutbacks in trade with Canada might pose a threat to this company and yogurt-making plants that have located in Batavia.

"So today I am here to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative, to insure that avoiding and removing restrictions on milk imports be a top priority in the ongoing trade negotiations with Canada and other countries of the world," Sen. Schumer said.

The Senator is call on Canada and other countries to honor their commitment to open their borders to New York farmers.