The free
trade deal with the European Union moved another step forward with approval
from the trade committee of the European Parliament.
It’s due
to come before the full parliament in February.
The deal
was signed in October, but needs ratification by the EU’s Parliament. The trade
committee backed it by a 25-15 margin with one abstention .
The EU
says the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will remove almost all tariffs
and boost trade with Canada by 12 billion Euros ($13.2-billion) a year,
creating growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
It
insists the deal won’t prevent governments from moving to protect environmental
and social standards if they believe action is needed.
Canadian
farmers have mixed reactions to the deal. Dairy farmers will lose a bit of
market share. Beef and hog farmers hope to increase sales to Europeans.
