Winnipeg, MB -- Canada’s canola farmers encourage federal and provincial governments across Canada to quickly conclude the Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which earlier today reached agreement in principle by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso. A successful conclusion to the CETA will expand European market opportunities for value-added canola products including canola oil for biofuels and canola meal for livestock feeds.
“The largest canola crop on record is in the final days of harvesting,” says Rick White, General Manager of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, emphasizing just how important export markets are to canola farmers and rural communities.
CETA will improve market access for Canadian canola to one of the world’s largest markets. “By lowering oil tariffs, the exports of Canadian canola oil to Europe will increase in value by approximately $90 million, creating new demand for canola seed to feed our expanding oilseed crushing capacity,” says White.
By embracing innovative farming technologies, including biotechnology, Canada’s canola farmers have become some of the most productive and cost efficient famers around the globe. In addition, these new technologies have positioned Canadian farmers as some of the world’s most environmentally conscientious producers.
“The CETA incorporates commitments to cooperate on issues related to biotechnology,” says White. “With canola relying heavily on traits created through biotechnology, we look forward to the EU adopting more timely and science-based policies related to the approval of biotech traits as well as addressing issues related to establishing low-level presence policies.”
“Our farms depend on trade, and the CETA is an excellent example of how the Government of Canada is helping Canadian farmers achieve export success,” says White.
CCGA represents more than 43,000 canola farmers on national and international issues, policies and programs that impact farm profitability.
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Contact:
Kelly Green
Director, Communications
t: 204.789.8821
e: kellyg@ccga.ca