Now that Canada has been approved for membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, effective in October, pork producers in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia would like to see the TPP lean on that country to end its program of agricultural subsidies.
Canada supports its pork, dairy and poultry industries with federal funds.
The subsidies distort the international hog markets to such an extent, the National Pork Producers Council says in a release, that “If the United States had a subsidy program similar to Quebec’s … we would double pork production in 10 years to the severe detriment of our Canadian counterparts.”
Canada’s approval for membership in the TPP is a unique opportunity to address the issue, the pork producers say, because “TPP goes beyond a traditional trade agreement and deals with behind-the-border impediments to trade and investment.”
With the addition of Canada and Mexico, also approved for membership in October, TPP members will comprise nearly 30 percent of global GDP.
“Australian, New Zealand and U.S. pork producers have pointed out that the Canadian government’s actions are counterproductive to the overarching philosophy of the TPP’s goals and ambitions, and their respective pork organizations are forming a united voice to strongly request national trade representatives involved in the TPP negotiations to address the serious and damaging action by the Canadian government,” the release said.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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