CHEP Statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

ATLANTA, Oct. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - On October 5, 2015, the Canadian government reached agreement for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a multi-national trade agreement between 12 Pacific Rim countries, including Canada. When ratified, it will be the largest trade agreement in history, encompassing 40 percent of the world's GDP.

Canadian Hatching Egg Producers (CHEP) has learned that, as part of the final TPP agreement, concessions will be made in eggs, poultry, and dairy, which operate in Canada under a unique system called supply management.

Supply management ensures that Canadian farmers are able to receive a fair return for their work. It is a system that keeps Canadian jobs in Canada.

The concessions for broiler hatching eggs represent approximately 1.54% of the Canadian market. While necessary to secure a deal, it still represents a loss for Canadian hatching egg farmers. CHEP regrets the necessity of these concessions, while recognizing the opportunity that the Trans-Pacific Partnership represents for Canadian agriculture as a whole. CHEP is confident that the resiliency and innovative focus of Canadian farmers will lessen the impact of these concessions on the Canadian hatching egg industry.

Despite these concessions, Canadian hatching egg farmers will continue to invest in their operations and grow their businesses.

CHEP recognizes that the preservation of supply management's three pillars is good for Canada, as are recent commitments the government made today to compensate farmers that were negatively affected. Supply management is responsible for over $28 billion in GDP and supports over 330,000 jobs in every province and territory, and its preservation is critical for the country's future.

"Although these market access concessions are disappointing, we understand that, due to intense pressure from other countries, they were necessary to secure a deal for all Canadians," CHEP chair Jack Greydanus said on Monday. "We applaud the government's defense of the supply management system and look forward to working with them as this agreement is implemented."

While additional time will be needed to determine the full scope and impact of this agreement, the hatching egg industry recognizes the hard work that Canadian government officials and negotiators have put into securing this outcome for Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Hatching Egg Producers