CFFO: Trans-Pacific Partnership will provide New Opportunities for Agriculture

Feb 08, 2013

Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario says TPP will help modernize trade rules

In this week’s Christian Farmers of Ontario (CFFO) commentary General Manager for CFFO Nathan Stevens shares some insights into the much talked about Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement.

Stevens explained that at this year’s Canadian Agriculture Policy conference the big topic that was discussed was the important role that trade plays in agriculture. One of the aspects that was stressed relating to the topic of trade, was the changing dynamics in trade; specifically, the increasing interest in bilateral and regional trade agreements.

The TPP agreement is appealing because it is believed that it would increase competitiveness. From a regulatory perspective, it’s an opportunity to modernize trade rules. In addition to increasing competitiveness and modernizing trade rules it would also pave the way for future trade agreements. Despite some of the favorable aspects of a TPP agreement, there are also some controversial aspects – including protecting certain aspects of Canadian agriculture including supply management for diary, etc.

Overall, the CFFO views the TPP as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with other countries and provide a platform to modernize trade rules, while at the same time providing new marketing opportunities for Canadian farmers.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.