March 16, 2011

Canada calls for resumption of free trade talks with South Korea

Canada's pork industry is calling on the prime minister to become directly involved in kick-starting a resumption of free trade negotiations with South Korea.

In an open letter the Canadian Pork Council, Canada Pork International and the Canadian Meat Council are urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to help bring closure to free trade agreement negotiations with the Republic of Korea.

South Korea has free trade agreements with Chile and the EU and an agreement with the US is expected to receive Congressional approval within months.

Canadian Pork Council executive director, Martin Rice, explains that with the exception of a duty-free tariff quota established in response to foot-and-mouth disease, pork products entering South Korea are currently subject to tariffs of 22.5% or 25%.