Hensall Co-op Chief Executive Officer Brad Chandler appeared before the International Trade Committee earlier this week to discuss his company's place within CETA and Bill C-18.
Chandler felt it was essential the committee understood how the Canada-United Kingdom Continuity Agreement is to Hensall Coop and its members, noting Hensall "ships heavily into the UK and Northern Ireland to companies such as Heinz and Branston Beans, primarily dry beans and white beans, and this market represents between $125 million to $150 million to Hensall Coop members, and added value to customers.
Huron-Bruce Member of Parliament Ben Lobb was on the committee, and Chandler said Lobb asked several questions to try and reinforce some of his points, with Chandler noting some of the committee "was not very familiar with agriculture".
Chandler stresses Hensall does not want tariffs or quotas on trade with the U.K., and feels it would "slow us down as the plant protein market continues to grow".
Chandler was impressed by questions asked by Lobb and other committee members, and says he was honoured Hensall was asked to speak and enjoyed representing the Coop's members.
