We are Canada's Farmers
The CFA prioritizes predictable, rules-based trade, particularly with the U.S., Canada’s most important trading partner. Tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers threaten the livelihood of Canadian farmers, making immediate support and market diversification essential for long-term stability.
Rules-Based Trade
Ensure that CUSMA Continues to Safeguard Farmers, Support Open, Predictable, and Rules-Based Trade
Protect the interests of Canadian farmers by ensuring that the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) agreement continues to support open, predictable and rules-based trade, while working with industry stakeholders on an approach to mitigate the impacts of a potential trade war on Canadian producers. It is critical that these mitigation measures be in place immediately following the introduction of any tariffs to ensure the continued viability and competitiveness of Canadian farm businesses.
Reduce Non-Tariff/Technical Barriers to Trade
Advocate against the proliferation of non-tariff and technical barriers to trade which are limiting market access of Canadian products. This is particularly important as Canadian producers look to diversify export market opportunities and look to the European Union (EU) where new environmental regulations have the potential to significantly restrict market access (e.g., EU removal/restriction of pest control products and deforestation regulations). At the same time, the CFA recommends that the Government of Canada require that imports meet comparable production standards and food safety requirements and ensure that appropriate enforcement mechanisms are considered, adequately resourced and applied.
Reduce Interprovincial Trade Barriers
Remove interprovincial trade barriers that limit economic growth and competitiveness by, for example, aligning packaging and labeling requirements as well as meat inspection regulations and transportation licensing requirements across provinces, thereby improving efficiency across the agriculture sector. As a first step, the CFA recommends an approach modeled after the working groups struck under the Regulatory Cooperation Council to harmonize/align regulatory differences between Provinces where appropriate and facilitate free and unencumbered trade between provinces and territories.
Oppose Changes to CUSMA That Would Negatively Impact Farmers
Ensure that Canada’s trading partners uphold their commitments to rules-based trade agreements, avoiding retaliatory measures; Ensure that Canada preserves its sovereign authority to define and regulate its own agricultural production systems; Oppose any changes to CUSMA that would undermine current market access for Canada’s agricultural exporters; and, Oppose any changes to CUSMA that would result in reduction in over-quota tariffs or further market access to supply-managed sectors.
Pursue Broader Trade Diversification
Expand trade diversification opportunities inclusive of all agricultural commodities, including fully realizing market access opportunities through existing free trade agreements, as well as pursuing the conclusion of existing free trade negotiations and launching new exploratory discussions with markets that have high growth potential for Canadian agriculture.