UK’s accession to CPTPP must meet the pact’s high standards and ambitions, agri-food exporters say
April 17, 2023
Ottawa, ON – April 17, 2023 –Dan Darling, President of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) today issued the statement below regarding United Kingdom’s Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“CAFTA members have long been supportive of the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) provided new members adhere to the high standards and level of ambition this agreement has achieved.
“For example, while CAFTA is encouraged by the UK’s adherence to language facilitating the trade of products of agriculture biotechnology (i.e., grains and sugars), CAFTA members are disappointed that the UK’s accession to the CPTPP has not addressed many of the SPS and tariff barriers that limit Canada’s market access for important Canadian agri-food exports to the UK such as beef and pork.
“Before ratifying the UK’s accession, the Government of Canada must ensure the UK’s compliance to the CPTPP’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) principles, particularly around science-based decision-making in addressing risk.
“CAFTA is encouraged to know the Government of Canada will closely monitor the UK’s implementation and compliance to the CPTPP’s SPS Chapter. CAFTA urges the federal government to share a work program and identified resources to ensuring the UK’s proper implementation and compliance to the CPTPP’s SPS principles.
“In the absence of the UK’s compliance, the Government of Canada should respond through dispute resolution or other means necessary to ensure Canadian agriculture benefits from the UK’s accession to the CPTPP. Many of Canada’s agri-food exporters have been negatively impacted by the persistence of non-tariff barriers that have limited access to the UK market.
“The UK’s accession is precedent-setting for any future economies wanting to join the agreement. Therefore, non-compliance related to SPS measures would send a negative signal to potential new partners that the high standards of the pact do not need to be met.
“CAFTA is calling on the government to redouble its efforts to ensure these outstanding issues are addressed prior to the UK officially joining the CPTPP and through the ongoing Canada-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations.”
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