ID 44209420 © Brenda Carson Dreamstime.com

By Alice McFarlane

Canada-UK Continuity Agreement

Cattle groups want the Canada-UK Continuity Agreement tabled over beef trade barriers

Oct 30, 2025 | 4:33 PM

A national cattle group wants the Canada-UK Continuity Agreement terminated.

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) made the request to Ottawa following the tabling of the UK Accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) legislation.

In July 2023, Ottawa announced the accession of the UK to the CPTPP agreement.

CCA, provincial cattle groups and beef producers across the country were upset with the deal and started the campaign “Say No to a Bad Deal”.

CCA President Tyler Fulton said since then, the UK has not made any effort to address the non-tariff barriers that are keeping Canadian beef out of the UK market. While UK beef imports into the Canadian market have increased from $16.6 million in 2023 to $42.5 million in 2024.

MLAs clash over foreign ownership of Saskatchewan farmland

Nov 10, 2025

Outstanding community members

'We all loved him': respected Prince Albert broadcaster passes away

Oct 09, 2025

Nearing the end of harvest

Meals in the field and hats in combines: a look into end of harvest traditions

Oct 09, 2025

“We are calling on all Parliamentarians to stand up for Canadian beef producers. In these uncertain geopolitical times, we need every opportunity to diversify our markets,” Fulton said.

The continuity agreement between Canada and the UK was set up as a bridge after Brexit—with a commitment to conclude negotiations on a formal bilateral agreement within three years of the trade continuity agreement (TCA), which came into force April 1, 2021. The UK then walked away from bilateral negotiations.

Fulton said the UK’s non-tariff barriers are not compliant with the World Trade Organization (WTO), who ruled against the EU Hormone Ban in December 1997, which the UK continues to apply to Canada.

The UK also refuses to recognize full systems approval for the meat hygiene system, which is recognized as world class.

Within the continuity agreement, the chapter on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) maintains each Party’s right to take the SPS measures necessary to protect against risks to food safety, animal or plant life or health, while requirement that such measures be science-based, transparent, and applied only to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life, so as not to create unnecessary and unjustifiable SPS-related trade restrictions.

Canada and the UK also committed to work together on issues of relevance to trade in the meat sector and for biotechnology products with a view to facilitate trade, yet there has been no progress made on addressing any of the meat issues and ensuring meaningful trade access.

Following the Prime Ministers’ announcement to set up a technical working group to address market access issues, there has been no indication of progress.

There have been no Canadian beef exports to the United Kingdom in 2024 or to date in 2025.

–

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com