Beef and pork exports Potential deal may hinge on increased access to Canada for European dairy producers
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz remains optimistic about a trade deal between Canada and the European Union that could increase Canadian hormone-free beef and pork access to Europe.
Ritz travelled to European capitals on a trade mission last week and said there is agreement on both sides that a deal can be done.
In an Oct. 8 news conference from London, he said one of Canada’s “bottom lines” is that Canadian beef and pork access be increased substantially.
“The bottom line for us is to be commercially viable,” said Ritz. “It has to be a number that excites our market potential.”
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EU officials have previously said that an agricultural bottom line for their side is increased dairy access into Canada despite the supply management system.
However, recently arrived EU ambassador Marie-Anne Coninx would not be drawn into the discussion publicly when asked during a press briefing in Ottawa Oct. 8 whether that remains a European bottom line.
“No comment,” she said. “(But on the general trade talks), I know that very good progress has been made.”
Ritz also refused to be drawn into specifics about the state of negotiations.
“One thing that all ministers and industry that I’ve talked to have agreed on is we’ll let the negotiators do the negotiating,” he said.
“We’re not going to do it in the media.”
However, Ritz said both sides have bottom lines and not just in agriculture.
“There’s a number of fine-tuning issues to be done,” he said.
“One thing I’ve always said is I would insist that non-tariff barriers, the phytosanitary stuff, also get captured in this so that once you’re past the tariffs, you don’t hit other stumbling blocks.”
Ritz said he would not speculate on how much emphasis European demands for more dairy access is receiving in negotiations, but he did offer a clue.
“They’re looking for reciprocity and access,” he said.
“We’re happy to discuss that, but at the end of the day, what we have to receive when it comes to beef and pork is commercial viability.”
Ritz said Canadian food and produce exporters have many opportunities in the EU market, which is a market of more than 500 million consumers.
“Without question, this is a major market ripe with opportunities for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industries,” he told reporters.
“While farmers and processors do their part at producing the highest quality products, it’s our job as government to ensure that those products get to as many markets as possible.”
