This week, the long and arduous debates over the Canada-Colombia free trade deal came to an end with the passage of Bill C-2 by the Senate of Canada.
Progress on this file was helped by an aggressive campaign of support by farmers and farm organizations from across the country.
“Our message of the need for market access has resonated in Ottawa. Our members were represented at committee by real farmers, and we had many meetings to build support for this legislation amongst Liberal and Conservative Members of Parliament, said Doug Robertson, President of the Grain Growers of Canada.
“I think this shows that farmers do have a voice in Ottawa and can help put in place the tools we need to make our living from the market,” explained Robertson. “It was refreshing to see the two major Parties working together to support our producers, unlike the others, who put special interests and ideology ahead of the needs of Canadian farmers.”
Colombia represents the 7th largest export market for Canadian pulses (peas, lentils, beans) and has potential to be a major market for wheat, barley, malt, beef and pork. Currently, Colombia maintains an average of 16.6% tariff on agricultural imports.
“This deal will give our farmers several years of market access advantage over other exporters,” said Robertson. “For once, we will have the US and EU at a substantial trade disadvantage.
The deal is also to the benefit of the Colombian people. The elimination of tariffs on wheat, pulses, pork and beef imports means cheaper food there, but also provides better market access for Colombians who can expand their tropical fruit and coffee exports to Canada as trade relationships develop.
“It’s a good deal for farmers in both countries because we each export different products,” said Robertson. “The simple fact is this deal is good for both countries, and only those ideologically opposed to all free trade would say otherwise.”
About Harry Siemens
Harry's Bio - On the Edge with Siemens Says
Communicator extraordinaire Harry Siemens interacts with his vast agricultural audience through speaking, writing, and commentating. He creates an awareness of what’s happening in agriculture as an advocate of the farmer, and provides a rare edge, never afraid to express his own informed opinion. With his 41 years plus of experience, people respect, and trust him to provide always the most relevant and current farm information.
Harry Siemens comments on the news, motivates, gives his own opinions to the public everyday, as an independent farm communicator and farmer advocate through various media outlets.
As a motivational speaker, Harry can deliver a new speech everyday, taking any information and adapting it to the right situation. He integrates the current farm issues with motivation, and humour. He speaks to audiences ranging from the AGM of the U.S. Grains Council in Montreal to the local Farmers Marketing Club in Plum Coulee, MB or Sunhaven Farms in Kinsella, Alberta and many in between.
Harry Siemens, the journalist, is always on top of things, hearing it first, and then giving the news spiced with personal commentary. Along with his up-to-date website and e-newsletter FarmWatch, he writes for various publications across Western Canada and the U.S., including the AgriPost, Prairie Hog Country, and Western Dairy Farmer.
He also writes for hire, which goes back to adapting any information to any audience or situation.
Harry Siemens, the commentator, gives you more than the story. He provides the story with his own opinion and from a perspective on how it will affect the reader and/or listener directly
In the United States Harry appears regularly with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson on ‘This Week in Agribusiness’ seen and heard weekends on the RFD-TV Network giving the Canadian perspective. He works closely with Lynn Ketelson and Linda Brekke to share the issues that face producers in Canada on the Linder Farm Network heard on over 40 radio stations in Minnesota. Ratings show this to be the most listened to half-hour farm broadcast in the United States.
Harry Siemens, the communicator, integrates speaking, writing, and commentating, giving a clear picture of the big and small issues in layman’s terms. He reaches his audience through the ‘Net [SiemensSays.com] print, one on one, or on the radio, able to express his opinion, and keep everything fresh by Staying on the Edge.
