Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is encouraged by the announcement that governments continue to work on negotiations of a Canada‐European Union (EU) comprehensive trade agreement.
MBP appreciates the efforts of the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba on the progress that has been made to date. MBP encourages the key ministers, especially Honourable Ed Fast, International Trade Minister; and Honourable Peter Bjornson, Manitoba Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade; to continue their efforts to move this file to completion.
MBP supports free trade with the EU and looks forward to an agreement, if an agreement is successful in bringing significant benefits to the beef sector in Manitoba and Canada.
“Reaching an agreement with the EU that will eliminate the steep beef tariff and any quotas will help every link in the beef production chain in Manitoba,” said Ray Armbruster, MBP president. “We look forward to an agreement that can address several technical issues that have been barriers to trade.”
Beef producers in Manitoba depend on trade. Approximately 50 per cent of our production is exported. New and stable market access into the EU is needed in order to help us build the infrastructure necessary to support the growth and development of beef production in Manitoba.
“We are looking for an agreement that is not only based on current needs, but one that could satisfy the larger herd size we will have in years to come,” said Armbruster.
As Canada’s second‐largest trading partner, the EU represents a market that consists of more than 500 million consumers with a GDP of over $17 trillion. Accessing this market through free trade will help maximize the value of the beef Manitoba producers raise.
Agriculture is an economic driver in Manitoba and the beef sector plays a vital role in the maintenance of Manitoba’s economic and environmental sustainability.
