U.S. Rep. Tom Reed is hoping area dairy farmers will soon be able to sell more milk in Canada.

During a conference call with area media Wednesday, the Corning Republican noted that he had met with Katherine Tei, the U.S. Trade Representative earlier that day. They discussed dairy access to the Canadian market.

Reed noted that a few years ago, the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement was approved. That agreement, among other things, was to permit U.S. dairy farmers access to the Canadian market, but that hasn’t worked out.

“What we have seen is the traditional Canadian protectionism being put on display and closing out that market as the USMCA went into effect,” he said.

As a result, the U.S. brought forth a trade case against Canada, the first of its kind. Reed noted that the dispute panel determined Canada did violate the agreement.

“Now we are in the process of implementing the solutions to that finding in regards to the acts of the Canadian market,” he said.

Reed asserted it isn’t right that Western New York dairy farmers are being shut out of the Canadian market. He pledged his full support and cooperation to work with Tei and others to address this. He said they want to “send a message to Canada that their initial response is not adequate in regards to ensuring that New York state dairy farmers have a fair shake and a fair opportunity to the Canadian market.”

Reed said it’s important that Canada be held accountable. He hopes that this first case under the USMCA will help ensure that all trade agreements enacted are followed.

“What we are looking for is fair, free, open, level playing fields upon which our U.S. interests, such as dairy farmers, such as manufacturers, have an opportunity to act in those markets and have a fair shake at growing and developing their resources,” he said.