CPTPP one of Canadian swine’s main achievements in 2018
Lauren Arva
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Canada’s involvement in the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) stands out as one of the swine industry’s achievements for 2018.
As Canada’s pork sector relies on trade, the CPTPP is a highlight of last year, Rick Bergmann, chair of the Canadian Pork Council, said in a Farmscape
article today.
“With (the CPTPP) in place, the fact that Canada is one of the six signatories on the deal … gives us immediate opportunity in regard to having more (trade possibilities) in Japan,” Bergmann said in the article. “The Verified Canadian Pork brand is a strong band already in a lot of these countries, (and) now that we have the CPTPP in place, it does allow us to have reduction in tariffs.
“When you think about competition in our trade sector, it does bring us to a good position compared to other countries like the United States.”
This trade agreement can benefit and enhance Canadian farm sustainability, Bergmann said in the article.
Other key industry members also highlighted the benefits of the agreement.
“When we look at what products we are wanting to ship to Japan … with the tariff reductions … every little change in a tariff rate makes a difference,” Gary Stordy, director of government and corporate affairs for CPC, told Farms.com today. “When we look at what we project the value being … it’s a $639-million opportunity.”
The CPTPP, a
trade agreement between Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, came into effect on Sunday in six of the 11 participating nations (Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore). Once completely implemented, the agreement will allow the 11 countries to create a trading bloc, representing 495 million consumers and 13.5 per cent of global gross domestic product.
Updated Jan. 2, 2019
Pork Checkoff photo