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

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SUGGESTIONS

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development calls on the Committee on International Trade, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

A. whereas the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is one of the most inclusive and sustainable trade deals ever signed;

1. Notes with satisfaction the considerable increase in bilateral trade in food and agricultural products between the EU and Canada and the 26 % increase in exports of EU agricultural products to Canada since the start of the provisional application of CETA;

2. Highlights the importance of recognising the system of geographical indications (GIs) as a key component of the agreement; underlines the need for further effective enforcement of GI protection for EU rights holders in Canada;

3. Acknowledges that the 18 % increase in EU exports of wine, spirits and beer to Canada in 2021 was a positive development for EU producers; stresses that further work is needed to ensure that discriminatory measures restricting market access for wines and spirits, mainly at the provincial level, are eliminated in Canada;

4. Notes with concern that the existing Canadian tariff rate quota (TRQ) management system is undermining the competitiveness of EU dairy producers; urges the Commission to keep up its efforts with the Canadian authorities to increase the transparency of how the operation of its TRQ system is monitored;

5. Welcomes the series of joint initiatives within the framework of the EU-Canada dialogue on sustainability, environmental stewardship and climate action in agriculture; stresses the importance of increased sharing of best practices in the fields of agricultural productivity, carbon sequestration, soil health and protection of natural environments and invites the Commission to pursue these exchanges in the future.