GUELPH, ON – Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomes the successful completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
The TPP expands opportunities for grain export to important and growing markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.
“Japan is our largest market for food-grade soybeans, and countries like Malaysia and Vietnam have fast-growing GDPs and are major markets for both food-grade and crush soybeans,” says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “With market development a key pillar of our organization, improved access to these important export countries is a great success for our farmer-members.”
While reduced tariffs and increased market access are a great growth opportunity, grain farmers continue to look for leadership at the federal level on business risk management. With an impressive financial commitment being made to the supply management sector to compensate for the effects of TPP, Grain Farmers of Ontario is keen to see the same level of attention and commitment given to risk management for grain farmers.
“The Ontario grain industry is export-oriented and agreements like the TPP that increase access to export markets are always encouraged,” says Brock. “While this is a great step forward, we need the next governing party of Canada to demonstrate a commitment to risk management programs for grain farmers.”
Source: GFO