The vice-chair of the Canadian Pork Council estimates the completion of a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union could add 20 dollars to the value of each pig produced in Canada.
Earlier this month Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada and the European Union have reached an agreement in principle on a comprehensive free trade agreement.
Canadian Pork Council vice-chair Rick Bergmann says Canada has been exporting pork for over 100 years, we’re known as a premium supplier of safe, high quality pork and, with that, about two thirds of what we produce goes unto the export market so any time you can diversify or increase export opportunities it’s fantastic for pork producers.
Our current exports of pork cuts in the EU are virtually non-existent.
This is not because of the uncompetitiveness but really it’s due to the tariff and non-tariff barriers in that market place so we’re really pleased with this agreement, that those tariffs are going to be for the most part removed which again will open up a big marketing opportunity for us.
As far as significance, there’s a potential 1.5 billion dollar benefit in all of Canada.
As far as primarily the pork it could be close to 400 dollars in additional sales per annum.
If I do the rough numbers it could be mean 20 dollars per animal improvement.
That economic benefit is going to have to be split up between processors and exporters but for sure as a pork producer representing Canadian pork producers we’d want to ensure that we get our fair share of that opportunity as well.
Bergmann says this deal is a tremendous opportunity for Canada.
He applauds the efforts of International Trade minister Ed Fast, Agriculture minister Getty Ritz and Prime Minister Harper.
