Thank you, D'Arcy.
We trust that Parliament can implement this agreement as soon as possible to enhance the competitiveness of the Canadian industry exporting to TPP countries.
As our time is limited, I have a few points to make in summary. While the TPP will eliminate certain pulse tariffs ranging from 5% to 30%, it is an opportunity to improve the predictability of trade between TPP members concerning trade tolerances for the use of technology in food production.
It is critical that the scientific committees created under TPP are used to align pesticide maximum residue limits and policies on low-level presence of GM crops that are fully approved in exporting countries but not yet approved in the importing country.
Under the TPP Canada has the ability to lead the dialogue on recognition of scientific standards, recognition by regulators of other regulators' risk assessment work and MRLs for technologies used in agriculture. If an importing country accepted another country's tolerance in cases where it would otherwise apply a zero threshold because an MRL has not yet been set or approved, a large majority of MRL-related trade risk would be eliminated.
Canada has the opportunity to work within the TPP to utilize recognition of scientific standards to help ensure that food can continuously and predictably cross borders as it moves from world food surplus regions to food deficit regions.
Sound science-based processes can travel across national boundaries and the principle of sharing risk assessment work and tolerances where appropriate must be included in future trade agreements.
While the potential for disruption of food shipments due to regulatory gaps is not new, I would emphasize that we have the potential to utilize the TPP to get in front of this problem.
With the residue testing becoming less expensive, capable of detecting lower levels and being more prevalent, if we succeed we have addressed an otherwise growing potential trade disruption.
Thank you and we appreciate the opportunity to speak to you today.