Aside from the supply-managed commodities, other domestic commodities face inadequate treatment in comparison to similar products being imported.
Horticulture products that are produced in Canada for the domestic market are subject to CFIA testing to ensure that chemicals not approved by PMRA are not present in the product. However, it is our understanding from the horticulture producers that imports do not face the same rigour of testing. Many of the countries that Canada imports produce from have access to pesticides that PMRA doesn't allow in Canada. This creates a competitive advantage for the imported goods over the domestic products.
Let me be clear: I'm not saying that Canada should allow access to these other pesticides. There are good scientific, justified reasons that we do not use these pesticides. However, a minimum standard for imported goods that is at least as high as the standard for domestic products needs to be in place to protect and support horticulture producers in this country.
NSFA also has priorities as related to the export market. The TPP and CETA trade agreements open doors to the export market for many commodities produced in Canada. While access to these markets will benefit the rural economy in our province, farmers will only benefit if the appropriate programs are in place.
The AgriMarketing program is an example of a current program that will benefit these commodities that are interested in the export market. The program is designed to build and promote Canada's availability to expand domestic and export markets. Considering the significant export potential of the trade agreements that have come into place since the fund was established, the AgriMarketing program needs to be renewed, and ideally increased, to access these markets to their full potential.
An example of how this program has worked even prior to the trade agreements can be found in the wild blueberry sector. The AgriMarketing program and its predecessor program helped the commodity grow and expand into other programs. Without this program, the industry would not have the access to the markets they have today. Also, the wild blueberry farmers and processors see a return on investment on their levies, since AgriMarketing requires matching funds.
The program has also allowed for promotional campaigns in various export markets, including Korea, China, Japan, Germany, and France.