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Ag sector welcomes ASEAN trade talks

Ag sector welcomes ASEAN trade talks

Canada and the 10-country block are exploring negotiations for a free trade agreement

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Members of Canada’s ag industry are pleased with the federal government’s actions to engage with a block of Asian countries on a potential free trade agreement.

On Nov. 16, Trade Minister Mary Ng announced Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to have discussions towards a free trade deal.

This trade deal would create opportunities for businesses, secure market access for Canadian products and create jobs, Minister Ng said.

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association welcomed the news of the trade discussions.

Free trade is an important part of the Canadian beef sector’s economic success,” said CCA President Bob Lowe said in a statement. “We’re pleased to see progression with ASEAN and look forward to opening new markets for Canadian beef exports.”

As did the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance.

The ASEAN countries make up a market of more than 640 million people and a GDP of about $3.6 trillion.

Multiple opportunities are available for Canadian ag products to take advantage of this market access, said Dan Darling, president of CAFTA.

“Several agriculture and agri-food segments stand to benefit from an ambitious Canada-ASEAN pact including canola, beef, pork, pulses, cereals, oilseeds, malt and processed foods,” he said in a statement. “Removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers may also provide long term opportunity for sugar-containing products and processed food products.”

CAFTA would like to see negotiations begin early next year.

Established in 1967, the 10-member pact promotes economic growth, trade, and other issues within the region.

ASEAN’s members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

Together, ASEAN makes up Canada’s sixth-largest trading partner.

In the last five years, ASEAN members have purchased almost 3 million tonnes of wheat and durum, valued at around $1 billion per year.

“With this agreement, we expect to strengthen our ties with customers in Southeast Asia while meeting the rising demand for staple food products in this dynamic fast-growing region,” Dean Dias, CEO of Cereals Canada, said in a statement.

In 2020, trade between Canada and ASEAN reached $26.7 billion.

A joint study between Canada and ASEAN projected a free trade agreement would increase trade by $7.8 billion.

Four of the countries, Brunei, Malasysia, Singapore and Vietnam, are also part of the CPTPP with Canada.


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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