CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 09/26/14 -- The Barley Council of Canada (BCC) is pleased with the conclusion of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Prime Minister Stephen Harper and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso signed a declaration marking the end of negotiations today in Ottawa.
"BCC is supportive of CETA and what it means for the future of the agriculture industry," said BCC Chair Brian Otto. "We would like to thank all parties involved for their dedicated work on this agreement."
The BCC is now urging all parties to implement the agreement as soon as possible so that the Canadian barley industry can begin seeing the benefits.
"CETA will help to build and expand our export markets, a process which is critical to ensuring profitability for the entire barley value chain," said Otto. "Once CETA is in place, Canada will be in a better position to compete in one of the world's largest economic blocks."
Canada is the world's fifth largest agri-food exporter and generated more than $40 billion through its beef, malting barley, pork, wheat and canola supply in 2013.
The EU is one of the largest consumer markets in the world with over 500 million people. Upon implementation, CETA is estimated to raise Canadian processed food exports to the EU by $2 billion (142 per cent) a year, while exports of primary agriculture products could grow by $1 billion (42 per cent).
Contacts:
Barley Council of Canada
Caitlan Carver
Public Relations Coordinator
403-219-6263
ccarver@barleycouncil.com
