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Grain Farmers of Ontario supports TPP agreement

GUELPH, ON (October 5, 2015) – Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomes the successful completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

The TPP expands opportunities for grain export to important and growing markets, particularly in Southeast Asia.

“Japan is our largest market for food-grade soybeans, and countries like Malaysia and Vietnam have fast-growing GDPs and are major markets for both food-grade and crush soybeans,” says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “With market development a key pillar of our organization, improved access to these important export countries is a great success for our farmer-members.”

While reduced tariffs and increased market access are a great growth opportunity, grain farmers continue to look for leadership at the federal level on business risk management. With an impressive financial commitment being made to the supply management sector to compensate for the effects of TPP, Grain Farmers of Ontario is keen to see the same level of attention and commitment given to risk management for grain farmers.

“The Ontario grain industry is export-oriented and agreements like the TPP that increase access to export markets are always encouraged,” says Brock. “While this is a great step forward, we need the next governing party of Canada to demonstrate a commitment to risk management programs for grain farmers.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.

Contact:

Mark Brock, Chair – 519-274-3297; cropper01@hotmail.com

Meghan Burke, Communications – 519 767-2773; mburke@gfo.ca