Wednesday, December 07, 2011
The Canola Council of Canada (CCC) welcomes Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement today of the Joint Action Plan for the Regulatory Cooperation Council. Made alongside U.S. President Barrack Obama, the initiative offers the promise of significant cooperation on regulatory issues that are important to the canola industry.
“Today’s commitment by the Prime Minister recognizes the importance of effective regulation to maintain access to the U.S. market,” said CCC president JoAnne Buth. “The United States was the largest market for Canadian canola last year and it’s important to coordinate our regulations to facilitate trade.”
Agriculture and food figured prominently among the initiatives chosen as the focus of the Regulatory Cooperation Council. The CCC was actively involved in the consultation process earlier in the year and is pleased to see some of its priority areas included in the Action Plan. Initiatives relating to food safety and plant protection show that both Canada and the U.S. see benefits to regulatory cooperation in these areas.
“The Action Plan’s commitments to cooperate on food safety and plant protection regulation have the potential to significantly benefit the canola industry,” said Jim Everson, vice president of Corporate Affairs for CCC.
With the economic spin-off of using Canadian canola as an ingredient in the U.S. food and feed chain at $1.79 billion annually, Canada and the U.S. both have a significant interest in regulations that facilitate trade. Canada depends on predictable access to markets outside of Canada with over 85% of Canadian canola exported each year.
“We look forward to working with Canadian government officials on the issues in the Action Plan,” said Everson. “With so much trade and many members of the industry on both sides of the border, common approaches to regulation are fundamental.”
The CCC is a full value chain organization representing the entire canola industry, including growers, seed developers, crushers and exporters.
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For further comment, media may call:
Jim Everson, vice-president Corporate Affairs
Canola Council of Canada
613-488-9916
