Canada, Colombia To Iron Out Final FTA Issues

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

06 August 2010

The Canadian Minister of Agriculture, Gerry Ritz on August 5 announced a special round of bilateral technical discussions between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Colombia's Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), to take place on August 18, 2010. The meetings are being called to resolve outstanding technical issues to pave the way for the ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

"Canada and Colombia have a strong partnership based on principles of sound science that is paying dividends for our farmers,” said Ritz. "By tying up the final technical details, we are helping hardworking Canadian farmers reap the full benefits of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement when it is officially implemented.”

Colombia lifted its BSE bans on beef in January 2010 and live cattle in April 2010, demonstrating its commitment to science-based approaches to trade, the Canadian government said.

Ritz said that in 2009, trade on commodities with Colombia totaled CAD1.2bn (USD1.18bn). Further growth will come from the implementation of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, Ritz said, noting that the pact received Royal Assent in Canada in June 2010, and will come into force once the Colombian government has concluded its domestic approval processes.

Colombia is the third-largest market in South America for Canadian agri-food products. Ritz explained that an FTA will open new market opportunities for Canadian farmers and exporters and will help level the playing field with Canada’s economic competitors who are also seeking preferential trade agreements, including the United States and the European Union.

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