Source: Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) applauds the Government of Canada for implementing legislation towards the ratification of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The CCA is urging the Government of Canada to conclude the remaining procedural steps quickly so the bill receives royal ascent and ratification before the House of Commons rises for the summer.
As CUSMA can only come into force once all countries complete their respective domestic ratification processes, the CCA and fellow cattle producer organizations, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas (CNOG) have strongly encouraged the governments of the U.S. and Mexico to work swiftly towards ratification as well. The CCA and its North American counterparts will advocate for ratification until the updated trade pact set to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) comes to fruition.
CUSMA preserves and secures the duty-free access upon which the North American beef cattle sector has been built over the past quarter century. Canadian beef exports to the U.S. and Mexico represented 78 per cent of total volume and value in 2018, valued at $2.1 billion. As Canada and the U.S. boast the largest beef and live cattle trade in the world, CUSMA is essential for the families operating Canada’s 60.000 beef farms and ranches.
CUSMA also ensures the existing rules of origin and the crucial dispute settlement provisions of NAFTA remain intact. Producers appreciate there is nothing in the agreement on mandatory U.S. country of origin labeling for meat or livestock, and that there is ongoing interest to address regulatory matters affecting cattle and beef trade and to continuously improve the competitiveness of the North American beef sector.
Originally agreed to September 30, 2018, the timing of the CUSMA was meaningful for cattle producers as they entered the fall run, or the time of year when the majority of beef calves in Canada are marketed. The timing around the ratification of CUSMA remains a priority with summer recess four weeks away and a federal election this October. The CCA thanks the Government of Canada for its efforts on this important trade file thus far and supports all efforts to get the new agreement ratified in Canada in a timely manner.
