Trade

Trade Policy Statement
Basic Trade Policy Goals
The increasing interdependence of national economies and the growing and competitive global market place have reinforced the importance of export market opportunities and the importance of fair and effective trade rules.
Canada must approach trade negotiations with the objective of achieving positive results for Canadian farmers. Clear and effective rules governing international trade should result in a better functioning of international and domestic markets and contribute to the improvement of Canadian farm incomes.
The range of processes, initiatives and options on Canada’s current trade policy agenda is very large (e.g. WTO, NAFTA, Canada/ Chile bilateral, Canada/Israel bilateral, APEC, Quad, G-7, OECD, FTAA etc.). The breadth of this agenda provides opportunities, but also poses risks.
The CFA has asserted, and continues to assert, the Canadian Government's trade policy must:

• Identify the WTO as the principal vehicle for the establishment of fair and effective trade rules and improved export opportunities.
• Approach all trade negotiations in a coordinated fashion that ensures trade agreements and initiatives complement each other.
• Give high priority to the review of the effect of existing trade agreements and give high priority to the achievement of full implementation of existing commitments in the consideration of future action.
• Achieve the maximum possible access for agricultural exports, but also respect the domestic interests of Canadian farmers.
• Preserve its right to enable Canadian farmers to design and operate marketing systems, including orderly marketing1, and preserve those measures necessary for the stability and profitability of Canadian agriculture.
• Ensure that farmers' marketing structures are not subject to stricter international trade rules than other corporate structures and private enterprises.
• Ensure that government involvement in marketing structures and state trading enterprises remains transparent and is fully notified to all WTO members
• Recognize that change is negotiated on a reciprocal basis, but insist that the results establish clear and effective rules and standards that apply equally to all countries.
• Ensure a continuing commitment not to allow one commodity to be traded off to enhance the interest of another commodity nor to trade off agriculture in general for another industry sector.