Source: Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) recognizes the Government of Canada’s efforts to maintain uninterrupted market access into the United Kingdom (U.K.) by pursuing an interim agreement to transition between the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and a future Canada-U.K. free trade agreement.
While reaching an interim agreement may avoid trade interruptions, CCA’s highest priority is on achieving a long-term free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.K. that resolves trade barriers currently experienced by Canada’s beef industry when trying to access the EU market.
“We recognize the importance of establishing a transitional trade arrangement to maintaining our trade relationship with the U.K. and helping secure our economic recovery post-COVID,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President. “However, it is imperative that the beef industries in Canada and the U.K. can equally benefit from and grow this relationship and this will be our focus for future trade agreements.”
Despite the growth of Canada’s beef exports to the EU and the U.K. in recent years, the full potential of Canada’s negotiated access under CETA has not been realized due to technical trade obstacles. CCA looks forward to reviewing the complete text of the transitional agreement with the U.K. when it becomes available and will engage the Government of Canada on any shortfalls needing to be addressed in a future long-term FTA with the U.K.
Canada exported 1,584 tonnes of beef valued at $18.8 million to the U.K. in 2019 and 1,047 tonnes valued at $12.9 million from January to September 2020. Canada imported 2,962 tonnes of beef valued at $15.8 million from the U.K. in 2019 and 4,126 tonnes valued at $24 million from January to September 2020.
