Canada to strengthen trade to the EU
The agriculture and agri-food minister, Lawrence MacAulay, has recently concluded an agricultural outreach mission to Europe. During the trip, the minister visited Spain, Belgium and Italy to showcase Canada's agricultural sector to key industry and government officials.
Trade has already increased by 10% since the implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement one year ago.
In Brussels, MacAulay met with Phil Hogan, EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development, and Vytenis Andriukaitis, EU commissioner for health and food safety, to discuss agricultural opportunities.
In Spain, he had a bilateral meeting with the Spanish minister of agriculture, fisheries and food, Luis Planas, to discuss the opportunities that CETA is creating for both European and Canadian farmers, producers and exporters.
While in Italy, he led three roundtable discussions on trade.
“The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is providing increased market access for a wide range of our high-quality agricultural products,” said MacAulay.
“There are great opportunities available for our Canadian farmers and food processors in the European markets which will help strengthen our agriculture sector, grow our economy, and create more good paying jobs for Canadians.”
Jim Carr, minister of international trade diversification, added: “CETA is a landmark free trade agreement that is already translating into real growth in bilateral trade between Canada and the EU.
“With reduced or eliminated tariffs on many Canadian agricultural products, CETA is paving the way for Canadian farmers to access the second-largest global market. Now is the time for more Canadian companies to turn that access into new customers and new markets for their world-class products.”
The Government of Canada has a goal of $75 billion in annual agri-food exports by 2025.
