Canadian Fishing Industry Applauds Canada, UK for Reaching Transitional Trade Deal

OTTAWA, ON: The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC), on behalf of our members in the wild-capture commercial fish and seafood industry, applauds the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom for reaching a transitional trade deal ahead of the Dec. 31, 2020 deadline. The new transitional trade deal will ensure that Canadian seafood products will continue to enjoy tariff-free access to Britain.

“The Canadian fishing industry values its trading relationship with the United Kingdom as our fifth largest importer,” said Paul Lansbergen, President, FCC. “A free and open trade agreement between our two countries plays a significant role in the economies of our nations.”

The UK is our fifth largest single country export market, totaling $131 M in 2019. Our top product grouping exports to the UK are salmon (35%), shrimps and prawns (26%), lobsters (25%), and scallops (5%). The importance of the UK market to individual companies can be significant.

If the two governments had not reached this transitional agreement, Canadian fish and seafood exports would have faced increased tariffs. Based on FCC’s own analysis using 2019 export data, the applicable proposed tariffs would have added roughly $11 M CAD on the top four product groupings mentioned above. This would represent an average tariff rate of nearly 10 per cent and would have put Canadian products at a distinct disadvantage to other countries.

“I urge all Parliamentarians to swiftly ratify this agreement so that it can go into effect by January 1, 2021,” said Lansbergen. “Canadians working in the fisheries sector supply chain will thank you.”

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The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) is the voice of Canada’s fish and seafood industry, promoting a healthy resource and prosperous industry playing a vital role in the Canadian economy. Our members include small, medium and larger-sized companies along with Indigenous enterprises that harvest and process fish from Canada’s three oceans. Learn more at www.fisheriescouncil.ca.

For more information please contact:
Kelly McCarthy
Manager, Communications
FCC
kmccarthy@fisheriescouncil.org
613-727-7450 ext. 2722

Canadian Fishing Industry Applauds Canada, UK for Reaching Transitional Trade Deal

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