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OPINION (2023/2001(INI))

On the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

AGRI-AD-749989

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development · Rapporteur: Paolo De Castro

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The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade to include its suggestions in a resolution on implementing the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It notes growth in agri-food trade and benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises, but asks for respect for sustainable production, high sanitary and veterinary standards, and reciprocity. It seeks better enforcement of geographical indications, action on Canadian tariff rate quotas and discriminatory practices, and regionalisation for fruit and vegetables. It asks for protection of the outermost regions in tariff allocation, better integration of small farmers in advisory groups, and stronger cooperation on sustainability, animal welfare and the precautionary principle. It also calls for new export certificates, recognition of remaining meat inspection systems, and reciprocal market access for beef.

Committee position. The committee asks the Committee on International Trade to incorporate its suggestions into its motion for a resolution, covering trade growth, standards, geographical indications, tariff rate quotas, outermost regions, sustainability and animal welfare.

Key points

  1. Notes that EU agri-food exports to Canada rose by 62% and imports by 52% since provisional application, benefiting producers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
  2. Stresses that CETA implementation must respect sustainable agricultural production, reciprocity, high sanitary, phytosanitary and veterinary standards, and adequate controls.
  3. Underlines cooperation between EU and Canadian agricultural sectors on climate mitigation, emissions reduction and exchange of information on innovative farming practices.
  4. Calls for better enforcement of geographical indication protection in Canada, communication to stakeholders, facilitation of administrative procedures, and monitoring of grandfathered users with regular reports to Parliament and the Council.
  5. Welcomes an 18% rise in EU wine, spirits and beer exports in 2021 but calls for swift amendment of the 2003 Wine and Spirits Agreement and elimination of discriminatory provincial practices.
  6. Urges the Commission to press Canada on its tariff rate quota system, which hinders EU dairy producers, and to increase transparency on misuse of transfer allocation.
  7. Regrets that CETA does not apply regionalisation to fruit and vegetables and calls for this to be remedied in the EU-Canada Joint Management Committee.
  8. Stresses the need to protect the interests of the outermost regions in future negotiations or a review, and that part of tariffs and quotas should go to operators registered there.
  9. Notes with concern a 225% increase in EU fertiliser imports from Canada between 2017 and 2022, contrary to EU goals on fertiliser autonomy and soil health.
  10. Calls for better integration of small-scale farmers and consumers in Domestic Advisory Groups and welcomes joint sustainability initiatives, urging binding and enforceable agreements and continued dialogue on animal welfare.
  11. Calls on the Commission to evaluate future mirror clauses on animal welfare and to pursue export certificates for processed meat and sheep or goat meat and recognition of remaining meat inspection systems.
  12. Notes that both parties should promote reciprocal market access, especially for beef, and calls on the Commission to prevent weakening of the precautionary principle.

Who is affected

  • EU agri-food producers and exporters, who benefit from increased trade but face Canadian tariff rate quotas and discriminatory practices.
  • EU geographical indication rights holders, who need better enforcement and communication channels in Canada.
  • Operators in the outermost regions, who should receive part of tariffs and quotas and be protected in future negotiations.
  • Small-scale farmers and consumers, who should be better integrated in Domestic Advisory Groups.
  • EU meat exporters, who need new export certificates and recognition of inspection systems to access the Canadian market.

Figures and deadlines

  • 62% increase in EU agri-food exports to Canada since provisional application.
  • 52% increase in EU imports of agri-food products from Canada since provisional application.
  • 18% increase in EU exports of wine, spirits and beer to Canada in 2021.
  • 225% increase in EU imports of fertilisers from Canada between 2017 and 2022.
  • 2003 Agreement on Trade in Wines and Spirits Drinks, whose annexes should be amended.
  • Six years since CETA's entry into application, with some member states still not ratifying.