The CCA has been clear that the potential of the CETA for Canadian beef producers is immense, but in order for that potential to be realized, longstanding technical barriers must be resolved.
The most significant remaining issue is the fact that the EU has not approved interventions used in Canada to reduce the potential presence of harmful bacteria on carcasses. These carcass wash interventions have been found to be safe and effective by Health Canada and have been utilized by Canadian processors for many years.
The CCA is working with packers to undertake outreach in Brussels and EU Member States to explain that these interventions are an essential element of anti-microbial food safety controls in Canada. Such outreach is intended to support the official approval process, which involves both a scientific technical evaluation and a political level review.
The CCA has been taking every opportunity to ensure that Canadian Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) are also pressing to expedite the EU approval process. Indeed, when the EU Parliament’s International Trade Committee recently visited Ottawa, they heard both directly from CCA and MPs that the EU technical review process could undermine the value of the agreement for Canadian beef producers.
Furthermore, Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay has flagged the concern with his EU counterpart. CCA President Dan Darling is planning to be with International Trade Minister Freeland in Brussels shortly to underscore the matter.
In May, the CCA is planning to participate in a technical mission to Brussels and capitals of EU Member states to meet with officials who will ultimately determine whether these carcass washes will be approved.
Until all the federally inspected packers in Canada determine that the EU protocols are workable, the CCA cannot envision that affected packers will send any market signal for Canadian cattle producers to raise animals under the EU ‘growth enhancing product’ (GEP) free protocol.
Source: MeatBusiness