The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is welcoming the beginning of provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union (EU).

“While we urge the government to resolve the outstanding issues, we are also encouraged that Canada is forging ahead with its commitment to freer trade with the world’s second largest economy,” said Brian Innes, CAFTA president. “Eventually, CETA will mean preferential access for Canadian agri-food to an $18 trillion market that includes 500 million people.”

Canada exported $3.5 billion in agriculture and food products to the EU in 2016, making it the country’s fourth largest export destination.

When CETA is fully implemented, it will eliminate EU tariffs on almost 94 per cent of Canada’s agri-food products.