Grain farmers applaud USMCA

Canadian grain farmers support agreement that protects vital North American supply chains and encourages growth

OTTAWA  – Grain farmers from across Canada applauded the announcement that Canada, the US and Mexico had reached an agreement on a new North American trade agreement. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a significant achievement that will support the integrated grain supply chains that exist and will encourage economic growth across rural Canada.

“This is a historic agreement that serves the interests of grain farmers from coast to coast,” said Jeff Nielsen, President of Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). “We would like to thank Minister Freeland, Prime Minister Trudeau, chief negotiator Steve Verheul and the rest of the negotiating team for their hard work in delivering a deal that gives farmers the certainty they need to continue to invest and grow.”

The USMCA makes important incremental progress on key issues for grain farmers, including new text on biotechnology and low-level presence. In addition, it will remove legal barriers that prevent grain grown on both sides of the border from being treated equally, a longstanding request from GGC.

“The United States and Mexico are major markets for most Canadian grains and oilseeds, including corn from Ontario, oats from Manitoba, and malt barley from Alberta,” said Markus Haerle, GGC Vice-President. “The certainty that the USMCA brings will support Canadian farmers who rely on access to the integrated North American market to succeed.”

GGC looks forward to working with the Government of Canada to support ratification of the USMCA and calls on all parties to support the agreement as it moves through the Parliament.

Grain Growers of Canada provides a strong national voice for over 65,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 16 provincial, regional and national grower groups. Our mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.