Sask Wheat optimistic about new United States - Mexico - Canada Agreement

Saskatoon, SK (October 1, 2018) - The Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) is optimistic about the new United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) once it is ratified by the governments of all three countries.

“The new free-trade agreement with Mexico and the United States will allow us to build on our excellent relationship with these two key trading partners,” said Sask Wheat Chair Laura Reiter. “The agreement updates NAFTA with key amendments that require more cooperation, transparency and sharing of resources between the three countries.”

The USMCA includes a section devoted to grain trade. A key aspect will allow US-grown wheat delivered in Canada to be treated the same as Canadian-grown wheat within our grading system. In addition, the new USMCA will require the countries to reduce the use of subsidies and agricultural safeguards for products traded between the three countries. The new agreement also addresses agricultural biotechnology, including plant breeding, and requires the three countries to enhance their cooperation and exchange of information on biotechnology matters related to trade.

Sask Wheat will be reviewing the wheat-related provisions in the USMCA, as more details become available, to determine specific implications for Saskatchewan wheat producers.

“Once implemented, we expect the USMCA will provide more certainty to Canada’s wheat sector and will hopefully spur growth and new opportunities for Canadian producers within the United States and Mexico,” adds Reiter.

– 30 –

To arrange interviews, please contact:

Dallas Carpenter
Communications Manager
Sask Wheat
306-653-7967
dallas.carpenter@saskwheat.ca