Canada has offered to double imports of European cheese to
30,000 tonnes per year as the final item in a prolonged negotiation to get a
free-trade deal with the European Union, reports the National Post.
It says the package deal has now been sent to the provinces
because they need to approve some aspects, such as opening government contracts
to bidding by European competitors.
The National Post says nothing about some of the other
outstanding items, such as Europe’s push to gain longer patent protection for
pharmaceuticals and Ireland’s resistance to Canada’s push for improved access
to European markets for Canadian beef and pork.
The National Post says announcement of the trade deal could
come within days.
Although much has been said about Canada’s protection of
supply management for the dairy industry, news reports have been silent about
any implications for Canadian supply management for the chicken, turkey and egg
industries.
