​​​​​​​​​​​Winnipeg, MB  --  Canola farmers see Canada’s official acceptance into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations as an opportunity to improve the competitiveness of Canadian farmers and help them to pursue trade opportunities within the Pacific region.

The TPP is a free trade agreement currently under negotiation by 11 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the U.S. and Vietnam.  The market that encompasses the TPP membership includes 658 million people and has a combined GDP of $20.5 trillion.

“The TPP trade region presents significant opportunities for the canola industry and canola growers,” says Rick White, General Manager of the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA).  Currently, TPP countries, including Mexico, represent approximately $3.8 billion in canola exports.

“With a large and ever-increasing population, the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow in economic importance and includes priority markets for Canadian canola products,” says Todd Hames, President of CCGA. “We welcome Canada’s formal acceptance into TPP, which took place earlier this week.”

“Over 85 percent of canola and canola products are exported beyond our nation’s border, so market access continues to be a key priority for Canada’s canola farmers,” says White. The TPP is another step in the Government of Canada’s ongoing commitment to improve the competitiveness of Canadian farmers. 

The Canadian Canola Growers Association represents more than 43,000 canola farmers on national and international issues that impact farm profitability.

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Contact:
Kelly Green, Director of Communications
Phone: 204.789.8821 
E-mail: kellyg@ccga.ca