TORONTO: The Canadian government is supporting innovation in agriculture to capitalize on growth opportunities and create jobs for Canadians. Budget 2017 sets the ambitious goal of growing Canada’s agri-food exports to C$75 billion annually by 2025. Promoting these initiatives, Lawrence MacAulay, minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, delivered remarks at the opening of SIAL Canada 2017, a food innovation trade show. MacAulay, accompanied by Phil Hogan, E.U. commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, participated at SIAL as part of a mission to Canada to foster new business relationships in the lead up to the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). CETA is a progressive free trade agreement that covers virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-E.U. trade in order to eliminate or reduce barriers. The trade agreement will give Canadian farmers, processors and exporters duty-free access to more than half a billion consumers across the E.U., the world’s largest import market for agriculture and agri-food. Once applied, it will remove 99% of custom duties and many other obstacles for business.
“Canada’s exports hit a record high last year — and we will continue to grow our trade and open new doors for our producers,” MacAulay said. “CETA is a historic win for both Canada and the E.U. This agreement will deepen our trading ties and create new and exciting opportunities for Canadian farmers and our agricultural sectors, helping to deliver sustainable growth and drive job creation for middle class Canadians and Europeans alike.” MacAulay highlighted the mutual benefits of CETA for the agriculture and agri-food industries in Canada and the E.U. Industry estimates the historic agreement signed by Canada and the E.U. will expand Canada’s agri-food exports by an estimated C$1.5 billion a year to the world’s largest market for food. “We are confident that CETA will bring more products to discerning consumers in Canada and Europe,” Hogan said. “More than half a billion people on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy new opportunities as a result of this landmark agreement.” MacAulay and Hogan also delivered remarks at an E.U.-hosted information session that focused on key outcomes for agriculture under CETA. The session highlighted opportunities for Canadian and European agricultural exporters to take full advantage of the benefits of CETA.
