Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Ron Bonnett thinks it's time to take a breather on international trade deals.
He told Ontario Federation of Agriculture delegates this week signing a trade deal is only the first step in getting real market access. Bonnett argues relationships have to be built and efforts need to be made to find out what non-tariff barriers might be in place to hinder free trade.
He also thinks there may still be a place for the World Trade Organisation with all these bilateral deals being made. Bonnett says those deals all require a speedy dispute resolution mechanism when countries decide not to honour the agreements.
He suggests that may be a role the WTO could fill in judicating those disputes.
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Ron Bonnett told Ontario Federation of Agriculture delegates at their Toronto meeting it's a pretty wide-ranging concept.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/OFA-Bonnett-1.mp3"][/audio]
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He points out signing a trade deal is just the first step in getting actual access to those markets for Canadian goods.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/OFA-Bonnett-2.mp3"][/audio]
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Bonnett suggests there may still be a place for the WTO even with things like CETA and the TPP.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/OFA-Bonnett-3.mp3"][/audio]
