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| 15 feb 2017 |
17:50 |
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Copa & Cogeca welcome MEPs approval of EU trade deal with Canada
Reacting to MEPs approval of the trade agreement between the EU and Canada (Ceta) today, Copa & Cogeca welcomed the move saying it offers opportunities for the agri-food sector on both sides as long as trade is managed properly to avoid market disruption.
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Under the move, MEPs approved the agreement Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed by the EU and Canada and a new Strategic Partnership Agreement that deepens cooperation across numerous policies. Internationally, CETA is one of the most ambitious trade agreements on agriculture.
Speaking in Brussels, Copa & Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka-Pesonen said “In these turbulent times, the EU needs to send a clear message to the world that its single market remains open to the global economy as long as the level playing field is secured. In particular, we welcome the fact that our EU production and quality standards like Geographical Indications (GIs) and our safety standards (full traceability of cattle and hormone free beef) have been recognised under the agreement as this protects our quality products from imitations. This is a good step forward for trade based on fair rules and now we are looking forward to other trade negotiations like between the EU and Japan”.
“We believe that the CETA agreement can deliver for both sides provided that it is managed properly and tariff rate quotas (TRQs) on imports of agricultural products are managed to avoid market failure. We welcome in particular the better access for EU dairy products and wine to the Canadian markets but we will remain vigilant especially vis a vis the increased market access for Canadian beef meat and pig meat to the EU under the deal. The prohibition of growth promoters is also good in beef production and “ractopamine free pig meat”, he added.
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