Negotiators have made some progress on agriculture-related topics during the third round of NAFTA negotiations in Ottawa this week. A full day of discussions on agriculture took place on Tuesday, with more planned for Wednesday. The U.S. introduced a “consolidated text” for agriculture, compiled from the three countries’ individual submissions, according to a source who… Read more »
Tag: Brian Innes
Celebrating CETA while obstacles remain
The provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union (EU) officially started this week, which had the Canadian trade team in Brussels actually jumping for joy. But the work is far from over, as technical barriers are holding the agriculture and agri-food industry back from reaching their full… Read more »
Canola School: Trade Deal with China Holds Huge Potential for Canola
As the Canadian government contemplates moving forward on a free trade agreement with China, the canola industry sees tremendous potential to increase exports to the country that already imports more canola seed than any other. That’s because Canadian canola seed headed to China currently faces a nine percent tariff, whereas the tariff on soybeans is… Read more »
Ottawa Launches Consultations on Trade Deal With China
After launching exploratory discussions with China last fall, the Canadian government is taking another step toward negotiating a trade deal Canada’s second-largest trading partner. As part of the March 4th issue of the Canada Gazette, Global Affairs Canada announced it’s asking for feedback on how to proceed with a possible free trade agreement with China. “With… Read more »
Harvesting Prosperity From Seven Years of Negotiation
This is an editorial column written by Brian Innes, president of CAFTA (Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance): Threats to rip up NAFTA and trash the TPP send a chill down the spines of Canadians whose livelihoods depend on trade. And while the Trump administration’s action plan is not yet clear, it is crystal clear that Canada’s… Read more »
Ritz “Baffled” By Quinclorac Policy; Canola Council Responds
Former agriculture minister Gerry Ritz is taking issue with the Canola Council of Canada’s recommendation that growers don’t use quinclorac herbicide on canola in 2016. “I’m baffled by this non-science-based targeting of this product,” he says in the interview below, responding to this Canola School episode published earlier this week. Citing concerns about quinclorac residues showing up… Read more »
Canola School: Keeping the Chinese Market Open — The Canola Council’s Position on Quinclorac Herbicide
China imports about one-third of the canola grown in Canada. It’s critical Canadian canola meet the requirements for selling into the Chinese market. That’s why the Canola Council of Canada is advising against the use of quinclorac herbicide on canola in 2016, explains Brian Innes, vice president of government relations for the CCC, in this Canola School… Read more »
Privy Council Clarifies Election Rules Allowing Canada to Continue in TPP Negotiations
The Privy Council Office has clarified the rules regarding the conduct of government officials, including ministers, during an election. The details are of particular interest for farm groups because they allow Trade Minister Ed Fast and Canadian negotiators to continue participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. Trade ministers and lead negotiators from the 12 participating countries… Read more »