NewsLine by Cole's Ag on April 21, 2026, 12:34pm

CAFTA Executive Director Michael Harvey Appointed to Canada–U.S. Economic Advisory Committee

April 21, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) welcomes the appointment of its Executive Director, Michael Harvey, to the Government of Canada’s newly established Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations, ahead of the 2026 Joint Review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).

Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and to be chaired by Minister Dominic LeBlanc, the Advisory Committee includes leaders from business, labour, and industry and will serve as a forum to inform Canada’s economic and security engagement with the United States.

“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent Canada’s agri-food exporters on this Committee,” said Michael Harvey. “It presents our sector with an important opportunity to drive exporter priorities into action, including maintaining reliable cross-border trade, addressing emerging barriers, and strengthening the framework that underpins North American food production.”

CAFTA represents 90 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exporters, whose livelihoods depend on trade. With nearly $3.6 billion in goods and services crossing the Canada–U.S. border daily, that relationship is central to Canada’s competitiveness, export growth, and farm viability.

“As CUSMA discussions advance, it will be essential that Canada’s agri-food exporters have a strong voice at the table,” said Greg Northey, President of CAFTA. “The sector is counting on a clear focus on protecting market access, minimizing trade disruptions, and reinforcing the integrated nature of Canada–U.S. supply chains.”

Through this appointment, CAFTA will advance priorities on behalf of Canada’s export-dependent agri-food sector, including securing and strengthening market access under CUSMA, reducing non-tariff barriers, and reinforcing a stable and reliable trading environment.

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About CAFTA:
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is a coalition of national organizations that advocate for a more open, rules-based, and fair international trading environment for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. CAFTA’s members include the beef, pork, grains, oilseed, sugar, processed food and life-science industries, which together contribute significantly to Canada’s economy and food security. For more information, visit www.cafta.org.

For more information, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA)
514-834-8841 | info@cafta.org

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 19, 2026, 11:27am

Canada’s Agri-Food Exporters Welcome Pragmatic Engagement with China

Jan. 19, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance welcomes renewed, pragmatic engagement with China that marks an important first step toward restoring stability and predictability in the bilateral trading relationship despite remaining market access challenges.

Canadian agri-food exporters have faced prolonged uncertainty in recent years as market access barriers and sudden trade disruptions have limited their ability to serve customers in one of the world’s largest agricultural markets. Against that backdrop, renewed dialogue, reduced tariffs and progress on unresolved issues is a positive development for the sector.

“The Prime Minister has shown leadership that creates new opportunity for the Canadian agri-food industry” said Greg Northey, President of CAFTA. “We have long called on the Canadian government to engage with China to support our ability to export to China without trade barriers – last week’s developments are a breath of fresh air.”

Stable and predictable access to international markets is essential for Canada’s export-oriented agri-food sector. Exporters rely on clear, rules-based trade frameworks to make long-term investment, production, and supply chain decisions that support jobs and economic activity across the country.

“The potential for more Canada-China agri-food trade is vast as Canada produces the products that Chinese consumers want to purchase” added Michael Harvey, executive director of CAFTA. “Continued engagement with China by government officials at all levels will be required to seize the momentum of this new era.”

CAFTA encourages continued engagement between Canada and China to ensure that commitments are implemented and that remaining market access barriers across the agri-food sector are addressed. Ongoing dialogue and follow-through will be critical to rebuilding exporter confidence and strengthening Canada’s position in global agri-food markets.

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About CAFTA:
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is a coalition of national and regional organizations that advocate for a more open, rules-based, and fair international trading environment for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. CAFTA’s members include the beef, pork, grains, oilseed, sugar, and processed food industries, who together contribute significantly to Canada’s economy and food security. For more information, visit www.cafta.org.

For more information, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA)
514-834-8841 | info@cafta.org

Les exportateurs agroalimentaires canadiens saluent l’engagement pragmatique avec la Chine

Le 19 janvier 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – L’Alliance canadienne du commerce agroalimentaire (ACCA) se réjouit de la reprise de l’engagement pragmatique avec la Chine, qui constitue une première étape importante vers le rétablissement de la stabilité et de la prévisibilité des relations commerciales bilatérales, malgré les difficultés d’accès au marché qui persistent.

Ces dernières années, les exportateurs agroalimentaires canadiens ont fait face à une incertitude prolongée, les obstacles à l’accès au marché et les perturbations commerciales soudaines ayant limité leur capacité à servir leurs clients sur l’un des plus grands marchés agricoles au monde. Dans ce contexte, la reprise du dialogue, la réduction des tarifs douaniers et les progrès réalisés sur les questions en suspens représentent une évolution positive pour le secteur.

« Le premier ministre a fait preuve d’un leadership qui ouvre de nouvelles perspectives à l’industrie agroalimentaire canadienne », a déclaré Greg Northey, président de l’ACCA. « Nous avons longtemps exhorté le gouvernement canadien à dialoguer avec la Chine afin de soutenir notre capacité d’exporter vers ce pays sans barrières commerciales – les développements de la semaine dernière sont un véritable soulagement. »

Un accès stable et prévisible aux marchés internationaux est essentiel pour le secteur agroalimentaire canadien, tourné vers l’exportation. Les exportateurs comptent sur des cadres commerciaux clairs et fondés sur des règles pour prendre des décisions à long terme en matière d’investissement, de production et de chaîne d’approvisionnement, ce qui soutient l’emploi et l’activité économique partout au pays.

« Le potentiel d’accroissement des échanges agroalimentaires entre le Canada et la Chine est immense, car le Canada produit les produits que les consommateurs chinois souhaitent acheter », a ajouté Michael Harvey, directeur général de l’ACCA. « Un dialogue continu avec la Chine, de la part des représentants gouvernementaux à tous les niveaux, sera nécessaire pour tirer parti de cette nouvelle dynamique. »

L’ACCA encourage la poursuite du dialogue entre le Canada et la Chine afin d’assurer la mise en oeuvre des engagements et la levée des obstacles persistants à l’accès aux marchés dans le secteur agroalimentaire. Un dialogue continu et un suivi rigoureux seront essentiels pour rétablir la confiance des exportateurs et renforcer la position du Canada sur les marchés agroalimentaires mondiaux.

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À propos de l’ACCA
L’Alliance canadienne du commerce agroalimentaire (ACCA) est une coalition d’organisations nationales et régionales qui militent en faveur d’un environnement commercial international plus ouvert, plus réglementé et plus équitable pour les secteurs agricole et agroalimentaire du Canada. Les membres de la CAFTA comprennent les industries du boeuf, du porc, des céréales, des oléagineux, du sucre et des aliments transformés qui, ensemble, contribuent de manière significative à l’économie et à la sécurité alimentaire du Canada. Pour plus d’informations, consultez le site www.cafta.org.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter
Hana Sabah
Alliance canadienne du commerce agroalimentaire (ACCA)
514-834-8841 | info@cafta.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on November 17, 2025, 2:17pm

Canadian agri-food leaders in Washington to champion North American competitiveness ahead of USMCA review

Nov. 17, 2025 (Ottawa, ON; Washington, D.C.) – Canada’s leading agri-food exporters are in Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with U.S. lawmakers to underscore how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA) drives jobs, growth, and food security across North America.

The delegation, organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), brings together 12 national industry groups representing Canada’s grains, livestock, food-processing, and life sciences sectors, industries that account for more than 90% of farmers and the agri-food industry that depends on trade.

“CAFTA is in Washington to highlight what the USMCA makes possible,” said Greg Northey, Chair of CAFTA. “It’s the backbone of our shared economic security, keeping cross-border supply chains efficient, competitive, and delivering affordable, high-quality food to consumers on both sides of the border.”

Canada is the largest customer for U.S. agri-food exports, purchasing more than US $722 per person in American farm products every year.

The USMCA, which entered into force in 2020, faces its first joint review in 2026, a pivotal test of North America’s ability to keep borders open and supply chains competitive. Canadian agri-food exporters are urging all three governments to reaffirm the agreement’s full 16-year term to provide predictability for farmers, processors, and consumers alike.

“Certainty is the currency of trade,” said Michael Harvey, Executive Director of CAFTA. “Extending the USMCA will send the strongest possible signal to markets that North America remains open, reliable, and ready to compete.”

Canada, the United States, and Mexico launched consultations ahead of the review. CAFTA’s submission notes that despite political uncertainty, agri-food trade has remained stable, tariff-free, and mutually beneficial, with strong U.S. industry support for rules-based trade with Canada.

CAFTA’s Washington mission also stresses the importance of managing trade, border, and security relationships as part of a single North American framework.

“Integrated supply chains ensure the economic competitiveness of both our countries,” added Harvey. “This review is the moment to double down on what works: predictability, partnership, and a shared commitment that keeps our food systems resilient.”

Representatives from CAFTA will be available to speak with media at the conclusion of the week’s meetings.

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About CAFTA:
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is a coalition of national and regional organizations that advocate for a more open, rules-based, and fair international trading environment for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. CAFTA’s members include the beef, pork, grains, oilseed, sugar, processed food and life science industries, who together contribute significantly to Canada’s economy and food security. For more information, visit www.cafta.org.

For more information, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA)
514-834-8841 | info@cafta.ca