Ottawa, Ont. (Rural Roots Canada) – Canada’s beef industry is urging the federal government not to include beef market access in a potential trade agreement with Mercosur countries.
The Canadian Cattle Association and the National Cattle Feeders’ Association say Canadian beef should not be used as a bargaining chip as negotiations with the South American trade bloc move toward a final round.
CCA President Tyler Fulton says Canadian producers support trade that is science-based, transparent and reciprocal, but says broad beef access for Mercosur countries would hurt the Canadian industry at a critical time.
“Canada is already one of the most exposed beef markets in the world,” says Fulton. “Adding permanent, broad-based beef access for Mercosur countries would undermine our industry at a critical time and send the wrong signal to producers who are working to rebuild the national herd.”
The organizations say Canada already relies on imports for roughly 30 per cent of domestic beef consumption, which is significantly higher than countries such as the United States, the European Union and Australia.
Producer groups say after years of drought, rising costs and market disruptions, the industry is only beginning to recover. They warn that additional low-cost imports could slow herd rebuilding efforts, reduce domestic supply and increase Canada’s reliance on imported beef.
Animal health is also a major concern for the sector.
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Brad Deleeuw, Chair of the NCFA, says allowing beef imports from regions with a history of foot-and-mouth disease and inconsistent sanitary standards could put Canada’s cattle industry at risk.
“Protecting animal health is foundational to Canada’s beef industry and must remain an absolute priority,” says Deleeuw. “A foreign animal disease outbreak would be catastrophic.”
The groups also argue Mercosur producers operate under different standards related to labour, environmental protection and animal health, creating what they describe as an uneven playing field for Canadian ranchers and feedlot operators.
While both organizations support trade diversification, Fulton says those agreements need to create export opportunities for Canadian producers rather than simply increasing imports.
“Trade diversification only works if it expands export opportunities, not if it simply increases imports,” says Fulton.
The organizations are calling on federal negotiators to reject Mercosur beef access and focus on trade agreements they say support Canadian farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
