CCA semi-Annual 2022: Foreign Trade Report

While there is much turmoil and unknowns internationally, Canada has been fortunate to see positive results on Foreign Trade.
 
The chairs announced that Fawn Jackson is no longer with CCA.  Daniela Lombardo and Dennis Laycraft cover trade while John Masswohl continues to work on a part-time basis on CCA trade files.  
 
The US is still our largest trading partner making up 70% of all imports and exports. We continue to work with our US counterparts to ensure this significant trade relationship is equitable and free of trade barriers. CCA has made a submission to the US Food Inspection Agency that addresses items such as: eliminating border re-inspection of meat, expanding “Trusted Trader” programs to avoid border delays, and harmonization of food safety technology and grading and establishing a common program for document submissions.   As always, Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (mCOOL) is a continued discussion and an area that CCA is paying close attention to.
 
Many trade agreements that have seen constant movement through 2022 include, but are not limited to:

• UK Bilateral second round of trade negotiations took place on June 20, 2022.  The CCA is pleased with how the first two rounds of negotiation have gone and is positive that the two-year goal for completion will be met
• The UK has shown interest in joining CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership). Also interested are China, Taiwan and Ecuador
• The first round of CAN/Indonesia negotiations took place on March 14-18, the second round of negotiations will occur on August 15-19, and the third round will take place on October 31-November 4
• ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) negotiations are scheduled for this fall 
• CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) and the EU are still a focus for CCA.  To unlock the potential in this market, CCA is working through certification programs (VBP+ has applied to be a certification body), and antimicrobial regulations considerations, 

 
We were happy to hear Canada Beef’s presentation that outlined many international market gains.  There had been initial concerns with lost market access to China; however, it was noted that the lost trade was made up by significant increases in many other countries.  Some trade increases of note are:

• Japan up 25.8% volume with a 55.45% increase in value 
• Mexico up 17% volume and 38.4% increase in value
• South Korea up 159.4% in volume and a 305.9% increase in value
  

​These gains are impressive for Canada and positive for our future outlook.  
 
We are excited to see demand for Canadian Beef is still strong in Global markets.  CCA’s work is invaluable to our success in current trade but also ongoing and future trade agreements.  The Young Cattlemen’s Council is thankful to the CCA for the opportunity to participate with this interesting committee.  

Andrea van Iterson, YCC British Columbia Delegate