Improving market access

In the World Trade Organization agriculture negotiations, Canada has continually pressed for the elimination of export subsidies, substantial improvements in market access, and lower trade-distorting domestic support so that farmers from all countries can compete on an more level playing field. We are committed to ensuring that decisions on the production and marketing of Canadian products continue to be made in Canada.

At Doha in 2001, WTO members agreed to undertake comprehensive negotiations on agriculture. The goals are clear and ambitious. WTO Members are now focused on concluding the negotiations and reaching an agreement by the end of 2006, which would achieve significant improvements in market access; elimination of all forms of export subsidies; and substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support. These objectives line up with Canada's negotiating position.

While the WTO process unfolds, Canada also has several ongoing bilateral and regional negotiations in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For example, we are negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with Korea. FTA negotiations with the Central America Four Countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) are well-advanced, as are negotiations with Singapore and the four countries of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein). The government continues to explore additional initiatives with prospective trading partners. Potential economic benefits to Canada and stakeholder support are essential factors in selecting new bilateral and regional free trade negotiation partners.

Canada's efforts in all its trade negotiations are backed by a strong network of federal-provincial coordination groups and industry engagement bodies such as the sectoral value chain roundtables, the Canadian Agri-Food Marketing Council and the Agriculture Trade Negotiations Consultations Group (ATNCG).