If you are following the news at all, you are no doubt aware of the shudder the British voting via referendum, to leave the European Union (EU), has caused in terms of world economic matters.
The EU is one of the world鈥檚 oldest, largest, and most successful trading blocs, and that a key member of that organization has voted to pull out hit markets hard.
You could write a book on the reason the results were what they were in what has come to be known as Britex, and there will surely be books written, but the reasons are less important in the context of this column than the result.
The pull out seems to run counter to what most countries seek, trading bloc agreements which open the doors to goods and services flowing across borders as unfettered as possible.
There are of course concerns with such arrangements.
For example, and I have made this point before, food safety regulations and policing in other countries should at least be on the radar of concern for consumers in a country such as Canada where the safety regulations are well-known, and respected.
That said, Canada is always looking to make new inroads in terms of trade agreements.
Even minor deals are applauded.
For example, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade, announced that the Government of Canada has opened new market access for Canadian breeding cattle to Turkey,鈥� details a report at www.marketwired.com
鈥淭he Canadian cattle industry estimates that gaining this access, which opens immediately, will be worth $4.5 million per year, offering the potential of being a top export market for Canadian breeding cattle.
鈥淚mproved access in this sector will create more opportunities for Canadian cattle producers and will position Canada as a long-term, reliable partner in meeting Turkey鈥檚 import requirements.鈥�
In overall terms the new agreement is rather minor, but it is an example of finding ways to access markets more freely, as a way to better position Canadian agriculture in terms of trade.
Similarly, we see that work continuing as Agriculture Manufacturers of Canada president Leah Olson took part recently in the Canada-Ukraine Business Forum.
鈥淚nnovation Minister Navdeep Bains, Science Minister Kirsty Duncan and Small Business Minister Bardish Chagger announced June 14 that the federal government will focus on six key pillars to make Canada an innovation nation: promoting an entrepreneurial and creative society, supporting global science excellence, building world-leading clusters and partnerships, growing companies and accelerating clean growth, competing in a digital world, and improving ease of doing business,鈥� detailed an Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada release.
AMC鈥檚 mission is to support the growth and development of the agricultural equipment manufacturing industry in Canada which aligns with the government鈥檚 priorities on innovation.
鈥淐anadian agriculture equipment manufacturers are global leaders. Some of the best farm equipment is produced here in Canada,鈥� Olson said in the release. 鈥淥ur entrepreneurial members are vital to the Canadian economy, generating $1.8 billion of exports to 154 countries, including Ukraine. Innovation happens every day because our members are in communities across the country, talking directly to farmers and responding to their needs.鈥�
Innovation in the agriculture manufacturing sector is crucial if we want to address global issues such as overpopulation, limited resources and food production. The agriculture industry will need to produce more with less and Canadian farmers are at the forefront of meeting this challenge. AMC鈥檚 members continuously develop innovative technologies and manufacture products that enable farmers to be the best-placed to deal with these complex issues, noted the release.
鈥淥ur industry is unique not only that it鈥檚 developed in Canada, but because it has impacts across the world. Our products are helping to feed the world and our environmental footprint is better today than 30 years ago because of the equipment being used to reduce fertilizer redundancy and improve soil conservation. Our members also lead the world on intellectual property on agricultural products,鈥� Olson said.
While the Brits may have opted out of the EU, trade remains critical for agriculture in Canada where we produce far more than domestic markets require.
Calvin Daniels is Assistant Editor with Yorkton This Week.
