CAFTA APPLAUDS CANADA-EU FREE TRADE AGREEMENT.

New trade deal means access to new markets and greater opportunities for agriculture and agri-food.

OTTAWA (ON) – AUGUST 6, 2014 – Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) welcomes today’s announcement of completion of the text of the Canada-European Union free trade agreement.
“CAFTA congratulates the Government of Canada for reaching an agreement on the text with the EU,” said CAFTA President Lisa Skierka. “The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) represents Canada’s largest and most ambitious trade agreement since the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States. This agreement will make a real difference for Canadians and the agriculture value chain, from farmers and ranchers to processors and exporters.”
Canada exported C$2.6 billion in agriculture and food products to the EU in 2014. When the CETA is fully implemented, it is expected to drive additional exports of up to C$1.5 billion, including $600 million in beef, $400 million in pork, $100 million in grains and oilseeds, $100 million in sugar containing products and a further $300 million in processed foods, fruits and vegetables.
“The CETA secures substantial access to one of the world’s few billion dollar export markets, and does it ahead of our major competitors,” said Skierka. “This historic agreement will remove barriers, provide new opportunities and create new jobs for Canadians. We strongly encourage the federal and provincial governments to implement the agreement as soon as possible.”
Across Canada, nine out of every ten farms are dependent on exports. This represents approximately 210,000 agricultural enterprises and includes a majority of farms in every province. Canada’s food processing sector employs a further 290,000 Canadians. Together these industries support over $46 billion in annual exports and account for 11% of Canada’s GDP.
Through the CETA, Canadian agriculture and agri-food has a rich opportunity to diversify into new and prosperous markets where farmers can get the most value for their products. The CETA will open new markets for Canadian exporters throughout the the region’s 500 million consumers across 28 member states.