January 25, 2018
Canadian hog producers rejoice over conclusion of TPP trade negotiations
Canada's hog producers hailed the agreement reached Tuesday in Japan on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (now also known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP) trade deal by all 11 members. The US was originally part of the TPP but has since opted out.
The Canadian Pork Council (CPC), which dubs itself as the national voice for hog producers in Canada, thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, International Trade Minister François Champagne and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, the negotiating team and all other Canadian representatives that supported the CPC's request that the trade deal be concluded as soon as possible.
"The CPTPP is of tremendous importance to Canadian pork producers who export over 70% of their products to over 100 countries", said CPC Chair Rick Bergmann.
In 2016, Canadian pork exports to nine out of the 10 countries that are members of the CPTPP totalled 380,000 tonnes, valued at more than C$1.4 billion (US$1.137 billion). "With this trade deal concluded, Canadian pork products will continue to be made available to more than 461 million potential consumers under conditions favourable to the Canadian pork industry", CPC said.
The expected increased demand for Canadian pork from these partners is seen to help reach the C$75 billion (US$60.92 billion) export goal set out in the 2017 federal budget.
The TPP also includes Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Rick Alberto
