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TPP Countries Discuss Trade in Chile

The Pacific Alliance, a pro-trade group comprised of representatives from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, invited member countries and signatories of the TPP to the dialogue along with representatives of South Korea and China. In addition to being a signatory of the TPP, Canada achieved observer country status with the Pacific Alliance in 2012.

Champagne represented Canada at the meeting while Masswohl travelled to Chile to emphasize the importance of the TPP and international market access to the livelihood of Canadian beef producers. Masswohl had the opportunity to interact with Minister Champagne and other members of the Canadian delegation as well as compare views with representatives from other countries.

Signed by 12 countries in February 2016, the TPP represented a new era of multi-lateral trade that could bring together consumers and producers from a diverse section of Pacific-Rim cultures and nations by establishing a stronger relationship based on sound science and market demand. Most importantly, TPP set a new and high-level precedent for market access for the trade in beef and will serve as an example for other countries to follow.

“What is paramount for me as international trade minister is to make sure that Canadian producers, consumers and workers have preferential market access to the very important economies in Asia Pacific”

Since the United States withdrew from the TPP in January, the concern has been whether the hard-won benefits of the TPP could be salvaged. When the Chile meeting was announced, the CCA was encouraged that it would provide an opportunity for the 11 remaining TPP countries to discuss options for continuing the process of liberalized trade so that each of our economies can grow. The dialogue was successful in that the 11 confirmed that they are strongly committed to proceeding and instructed their negotiators to meet to find a path forward with respect to implementation of substantive elements of the TPP Agreement.

Minister Champagne later stated that, “What is paramount for me as international trade minister is to make sure that Canadian producers, consumers and workers have preferential market access to the very important economies in Asia Pacific.”

The CCA supports this progress as a strong signal that the substance of the TPP in some form remains very much in play and congratulated International Trade Minister Champagne for leading the discussion in Chile towards this outcome. The CCA will continue to work with the Government of Canada and allies abroad to support their efforts to bring the TPP substance into effect.

Source: Meatbusiness


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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.