Canadian grain industry groups are unhappy with Parliament for failing to ratify a free trade agreement with Colombia.
They also say a 15 percent wheat tariff recently imposed by the South American country emphasizes the importance of quick action to implement the deal.
“Colombia is an important nearby market for high quality prairie grain,” said Canadian Wheat Board chief executive officer Ian White.
Canada ships 400,000 tonnes of wheat and 40,000 tonnes of malting barley annually to Colombia.
The new tariff puts Canada at a $40 disadvantage to Argentina, which has duty-free access. The United States is also close to ratifying a deal that will provide free access.
White urged all members of Parliament to support the deal and move quickly to ratify it, or risk losing valuable sales.
Legislation to implement the deal was introduced in March but has been stalled at second reading in the House of Commons. Opposition to the deal in Parliament is based on concerns over labour and environmental issues in Colombia.
The Alberta Barley Commission joined the board’s call for quick action by MPs. Commission CEO Mike Leslie said the barley industry has worked to establish trading relationships in Colombia, and producers can’t afford to see that market disappear.
