International Trade committee  There is a vast amount of resources and experiences. There is a strong and robust regulatory system that is recognized around the world. It's an industry that is backed by science and really strong sustainability practices. It's at the forefront of innovation. Canola is a result

International Trade committee  Yes. In previous years, we recommended that the ASEAN countries join the CPTPP platform as a preferred approach, recognizing that their priorities were elsewhere at the time and that it might not work for all countries. We have continued to support Canada launching trade discussi

International Trade committee  In the initial rules, this mechanism already exists in a certain way. We should look further into this question to see how important the mechanism is, which sectors are affected and what the details are. In principle, a mechanism is in place in a general way.

International Trade committee  I will let the members of the associations answer your question.

International Trade committee  I can't speak for them because we don't represent them. We represent pretty much everybody else but the horticulture and the supply-managed sector.

International Trade committee  I think similar to the content of the office that the grain sector or the meat sector is proposing, there needs to be more discussion as to where that would be and how many staff, which countries and so forth. Certainly the region, the Indo-Pacific region, has been identified as

International Trade committee  I'd be happy to send you the submissions we sent to the government through the Canada Gazette process. In the ASEAN area in particular, the countries that are at the top of the list are Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Indonesia is there because of its size, growth and

International Trade committee  I would say that at the top of the list.... For example, you mentioned COVID, and right at the onset, Italy renewed its mandatory country of origin labelling, which discriminates against durum wheat and is also against EU law. There is also a need for the sustainability practic

International Trade committee  I think the real value in free trade agreements these days is in the framework and the mechanisms for co-operation. Yes, they reduce tariffs, but they also bring partners back together to look at issues through a number of committees that are to be set up. There's a committee o

International Trade committee  Sure. What it would do mainly is provide a framework. This is already a region that we do a fair amount of business with, both on the trade and export and import side. However, the rules that govern our trade right now are those of the WTO. Having a free trade agreement with tha

International Trade committee  If you look at just the numbers in the Asia region, on average, our exports have grown by about 15% since the deal was implemented. It has been higher for some members. Others are catching up. The big prize in that region is Japan, but there's also Vietnam and other deals. Hopefu

International Trade committee  Is your question about whether there will be new non-tariff barriers within free trade agreements?

International Trade committee  I think this is happening already. This is the case. This has started, and it did so way before COVID. I think COVID only made it worse. The whole war in Ukraine certainly accelerates that move towards regionalization. Hence, it is even more important to have free trade agreement

International Trade committee  I would echo the response on regional proximity and cultural preferences. If you look at some of our competitors, Australia, the U.S., Brazil, Argentina and the EU are also shipping to some of the markets that we are shipping to.

International Trade committee  It's non-tariff barriers and upholding rules-based trade not only in the region but globally as well, and making sure that, to Dave's point, industry and government proactively connect and communicate so that we can better tackle issues before they become problems.