The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) has welcomed the progress made during the sixth round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, which concluded yesterday in Montreal.

In a release, the association applauded Canadian negotiators on their efforts to ensure the renewed NAFTA would protect industry supply chains across the continent, supported growth, and adhered to principles of free and fair trade.

In particular, CPMA is optimistic about the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Chapter as well as the biotechnology provisions in the Agriculture Chapter and hopes these will build off of the recent success of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

It said given how developed all thre NAFTA nations were, these negotiations provided a unique opportunity to establish a new world-class standard in trade agreements for both of these areas.

"We have been working closely with Canadian negotiators and industry partners throughout Round 6 and remain committed to achieving a win-win-win outcome for all three countries,” said CPMA president Ron Lemaire.

"As we prepare for Round 7 in Mexico, CPMA will continue to support the negotiating process to help achieve the best outcome for the fresh produce industry, especially on key issues such as the seasonal trade remedy proposal, dispute settlement, and the sunset clause."

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