Overview
- Canada’s main cattle organizations, which held a press conference Wednesday, asked the federal government to leave beef out of a potential free‑trade pact with Mercosur.
- They argue lower‑cost imports could flood the market and drive young producers out, shrinking the national herd and cutting income in rural communities.
- Industry leaders cite weaker rules in parts of the bloc, pointing to foot‑and‑mouth disease history, gaps in BSE reporting, and uneven sanitary compliance that could threaten animal health and food safety.
- The groups warn the move could strain Canada’s tightly integrated beef trade with the United States as the CUSMA review approaches.
- The trade minister’s office highlights a 149.5% rise in Canadian beef exports to CPTPP markets since 2018 and says it will work with producers, while industry leaders say they still lack clear details on what negotiators are discussing.