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Grains
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THE
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the food safety and quality questions. We
need to increase predictability and reduce
any risks.”
De Kemp agreed: “A lot of commodity
groups would like to see a harmonization
in terms of China recognizing Canada’s
regulatory system—that it’s a good system,
that it’s all about food safety and quality in
grain, feed and processed meats.”
In case such recognition cannot be fully
reached, a consultative process in which
issues can be rectified quickly and
co-operatively at the highest levels is
essential to negotiating an agreement.
Canada has a high level of expertise in
negotiating trade agreements, particularly
since working on the Trans-Pacific Part-
nership and implementing the Canada-
European Union Comprehensive Econom-
ic and Trade Agreement, as well as several
other agreements.
“Canada is very sophisticated and expe-
rienced in negotiating, especially now,” de
Kemp said. “The Chinese certainly have
some FTAs in place with other countries,
but they’re not as experienced and have
not worked in the kind of detail that I
think a lot of the major trading partners
would like to see here.”
National agri-food organizations are
working to identify the opportunities and
requirements in an agreement for poten-
tial negotiators. They also work collective-
ly through the Canadian Agri-Food Trade
Alliance (CAFTA).
“We’ve been together a long time and
much of what we do is done collectively,”
de Kemp said. “CAFTA brings the oppor-
tunity for all the different organizations to
collaborate, and it allows the government
to get the pulse on all the industries in a
very quick process.”
With other countries securing FTAs
with China, time may be of the essence if
Canadian agri-food exports are to remain
competitive. Martin Rice, acting executive
director of CAFTA, said it is important that
Canada stay competitive and not lag behind
other countries in negotiating trade agree-
ments—as was the case with our Korean
FTA, where Chile, the United States and
the European Union were much further
ahead. “We were struggling to get into the
situation where we could start to catch up,”
he said. “We finally are, but it took four to
five years just to narrow the gap.”
D’Arcy Hilgartner, chair of Alberta
Pulse Growers, also talked about the im-
portance of staying competitive. “China is
one of our top three importers of yellow
peas and they’re a key customer for us,”
he said. “But with other pulse exporters
signing bilateral agreements with them,
being left behind is a concern.”
Alberta Barley chair Jason Lenz said
farmers are hoping that reaching an
agreement could increase opportunity
for them in a big way. “Any new market
is always advantageous to us farmers,”
he said. “We’re always hoping it adds to
our bottom line. China, as a large and
growing market, is a key market for all
our crops, and for agri-food in general.”
He added that growers are confident the
ag industry and the federal government
will get the best out of an agreement for
Canadian farmers.
“Farmers need our farmer groups to be
knocking on the doors of these countries
to either extend the market or find new
markets for our products,” he said. “Pro-
tecting us from non-tariff barriers is the
big concern. We know we have the right
people in place in our farm organizations
to get that job done, and it helps everyone
in the value chain, right from the farmer
to the processor.”
Barley Council of Canada andWahmix’s feed barley ingredient tour at Antler Valley Farm near Penhold, AB, on July 31, 2017.
Photo:BarleyCouncilofCanada