October 9, 2017

Canada agri-food sector pushes trade with EU under CETA

A Canadian trade mission led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay is currently in Europe to explore new export opportunities, as a new trade agreement has taken effect.

With the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provisionally applied, the MacAulay and Canadian industry leaders are visiting Germany, Belgium and Italy from Oct. 7 to 17 to build new market access into the European Union for Canada's key agricultural product exports including beef, pork and grains.

"CETA will expand our agri-food trade with Europe, by providing comprehensive duty-free access. It will create a united market of 35 million Canadians and 500 million Europeans. This historic agreement will encourage investment, open markets, and help hard-working farm families be more competitive around the world", MacAulay said.

In Germany, MacAulay will participate in Anuga 2017, the world's largest food and beverage trade show, where Canada's agricultural sector will be showcasing Canadian goods and promoting CETA's export opportunities.

In Belgium, he will hold bilateral meetings with senior EU representatives, host meetings with key European industry stakeholders, and tour the Port of Antwerp, a gateway into the EU for Canadian agriculture products.

In Italy, the Minister will attend the G7 Agriculture Ministers' meetings and attend World Food Day events in Rome with His Holiness Pope Francis.

The Minister will have the opportunity to engage with and support Canada's agricultural industry at Anuga, as well as during meetings with key European buyers and distributors in Belgium and Italy.

CETA became provisionally effective last Sept. 21, and as a result, almost 94% of EU agricultural tariffs are duty-free, and almost 96% of EU tariffs for fish and seafood products are also duty-free. Canadian exporters, thus, have an advantage over competitors in countries that do not have a free trade agreement with the EU. -- Rick Alberto