OTTAWA, Sept. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - Exports represent about half of the value of what Canadian farmers and food processors produce. Budget 2017 commits the Government to ambitious agri-food export growth over the coming decade, while pursuing trade agreements with key global markets to help farmers grow their businesses and create good, well-paying jobs for Canadians.
With yesterday's provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union (EU), Canadian exporters now enjoy unprecedented duty-free access to the world's largest import market for agriculture and agri-food.
Canadian industry estimates CETA will boost agriculture and agri-food exports by up to $1.5 billion annually. This historic Agreement will give the sector a competitive advantage in the EU and help Canada move towards meeting its target to grow agri-food exports to at least $75 billion annually by 2025.
Quotes
"This historic agreement provides new opportunities for Canadian producers, processors and exporters. CETA will boost Canada's agricultural trade with the world's second-largest market, creating jobs, deepening economic relations and improving market access for Canada's top-quality agricultural and seafood products including berries, cereals, pulses and live lobster."
- Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"CETA is a modern, progressive and landmark agreement that exemplifies our commitment to free and fair trade based on Canada's interests and middle-class values. It underlines our strong commitment to sustainable development and protects the ability of our government to regulate in the public interest. Trade is vital to our economic success in the 21st century: to job creation, to a strong middle class and to the prosperity of those working hard to join it."
- Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
Quick Facts
- The European Union represents a market of more than half a billion consumers.
- Under CETA, EU tariffs on over 95% of its agricultural tariff lines will be duty-free once the CETA is fully implemented.
- CETA will improve market access for Canada's key agricultural product exports, such as meats, grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, and processed products.
- All fish and seafood tariffs are eliminated under CETA. For Canadian producers, this will mean duty-free access on 96% of EU tariff lines immediately upon CETA's provisional application. The EU will then phase out tariffs on the remaining 4% of tariff lines over the next three to seven years.
Additional Link
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- CETA for agri-food exporters
- AAFC's Doing Business in Europe
- European Union (EU) at a glance
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972
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