This past Friday, Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper and leaders of the European Union signed a finalized text version of a long-negotiated free trade deal with Europe.
This “Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement “ (CETA), still has to be approved in translation and by EU member states.
Canada’s farmers are very concerned about the deal and have vowed to continue fighting against it, adding that other Canadians should be concerned about aspects of the deal as well.
Jan Slomp is a dairy farmer in Alberta and president of Canada’s National Farmers Union
ListenThe NFU is an organization representing farmers in all sectors in provinces and is active in defending the economic and social interests of farmers across Canada.
The CETA deal with the 28-member European Union would open markets and drop nearly all import taxes on a wide range of foods. It is an even bigger deal than the North American Free Trade Agreement. (NAFTA)
“This is a big deal. Indeed, this is the biggest deal our country has ever made,” Harper said after signing CETA in Brussels last October. “This is a historic win for Canada.”
After years of closed door negotiations, the text has finally been revealed and the NFU says CETA delivers lucrative Canadian markets to European exporters, but empty promises to Canadian farmers in return.
The NFU says the “secret” negotiations were not only undemocratic, but the results benefit multinationals more than anyone else. They also say certain aspects undermine Canada’s constitution, and justice system.
It also says any programme of local procurement would be gone as any procurement is open to European suppliers.
Although a final text was signed on Friday, CETA must still be approved by all 28 EU members and the Canadian provinces. The NFU says it will continue to argue against the deal, and work with European farmers who also object to certain aspects. If passed CETA would come into effect in 2016
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