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By Alice McFarlane

North American Trade Deal

Grain growers want trade deal signed quickly

Jan 27, 2020 | 1:29 PM

Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) urged the federal government to ratify the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as soon as possible.

GGC Chair Jeff Nielsen from Alberta said farmers can then benefit from reliable trade with the U.S. and Mexico.

“Our farmer members across Canada need a stable market to succeed and to grow,” Neilsen said in a news release. “By signing this historic agreement, the Government of Canada is committing to a meaningful upgrade to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and ensuring our North American market access is preserved.”

Canada is the only country in the pact that has not passed legislation to ratify CUSMA. Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced passing the new NAFTA is a priority. GGC agreed ratifying this agreement is essential to Canadian farmers and to Canadian trade, and is calling on all parties to come together to support the quick passage.

Neilsen said the deal would also remove legal barriers that prevent grain grown in the U.S. from being treated equally here in Canada which is a longstanding request from grain farmers on both sides of the border.

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“Canadian grain growers, and any Canadian who relies on trade with our closest partners, needs tariff-free access as soon as possible,” Nielson said. “If we don’t join the USA and Mexico in ratifying CUSMA, growth opportunities with our largest trading partners will be stunted.”

Nielson said the time for action is now and further delays are not in the interest of farmers or the economy.

“The success of Canadian agriculture is not a partisan issue,” he said. “We urge all parties to work together to see the legislation through.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF