Calgary, Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) is welcoming news that China has restored market access for Canadian beef, after being shut out of the country in 2021.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced on social media that China had lifted the suspension following last week’s visit to Beijing, which saw Canada secure a new trade deal that included a reduction of tariffs on Canadian canola and other agricultural exports, in exchange for slashing tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles entering the Canadian market.
In a release, the CCA says it continues to work with government officials and industry stakeholders to learn more details, including potential safeguard measures.
“Every market matters to Canadian beef farmers and ranchers; it supports our industry’s resilience and growth,” said CCA President Tyler Fulton. “Canadian beef continues to be sought after because it is among the highest quality beef in the world.”
RELATED: Canada’s Canola Industry, Pulse Growers Welcome New Trade Deal with China
Fulton added that the CCA was encouraged to see Prime Minister Marc Carney placing a high priority on Canadian export-driven agriculture as an economic driver for the country.
The CCA says its top priority remains strengthening existing trading relationships with its trading partners who follow international rules-based trade. It also says it will continue to advocate to remove non-tariff barriers in existing markets and work with the government on new free trade agreements to ensure they present significant market opportunities.
“We remain committed to expanding market access for Canadian beef and securing the best trade deals for Canadian beef farmers and ranchers,” says Fulton. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada in pursuing new markets and removing non-tariff and tariff barriers to Canadian beef.”
In December 2021, as Canada and China’s relationship remained strained, China halted all exports of Canadian beef due to an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Before the halt in trade, Canadian beef had seen growth in the Chinese market.
