The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) is warning the federal government not to make changes to the market access provisions that were established in the original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement during TPP-11 talks taking place this week in Vietnam.

“We are disturbed by news reports that the Canadian government is looking to make significant changes to a deal that’s already been negotiated,” said Brian Innes, President of CAFTA. “We have a small window of opportunity. Demanding changes to the market access provisions could jeopardize the entire agreement.”

CAFTA has been an avid supporter of the original 12-member TPP agreement based on the need for Canada to diversify its trade relationships with dynamic Asian markets, many of which are members of the TPP.

Innes adds that the original agreement took years of hard bargaining to achieve a fine balance among competing interests of all participating countries. He says even small changes to the market access section could throw off that balance, resulting in a collapsed deal.

“Staying the course on market access provisions is the best way to ensure we land an agreement that will bring the most economic benefits for our sector and for Canada,” commented Innes.