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Bruton welcomes EU Trade Agreement with Canada

Major new opportunity for EU and Irish exporters

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, today welcomed the conclusion of long-running talks on a trade and investment protection agreement with Canada.

Speaking from Luxembourg Minister Bruton said:

This agreement with Canada is really good news for our exporters. New markets will be opened in Canada and tariffs on nearly all of our exports there will be removed. The deal is good news for the economy and nearly every business sector in Ireland will benefit.

Canada is a very important trading partner for us. Canada represents a natural trading opportunity for many of our ambitious and innovative enterprises. It is a market with the same language, similar economic traditions and enjoying strong growth.

Expanding our €2.7 billion trade with Canada will create more jobs and help accelerate our economic recovery. This deal will bring our business and economic relations with Canada to a higher and more profitable level. Our goods exports to Canada have more than doubled since 2006. This new agreement will help exporters in every part of Ireland win more business across the Atlantic. This agreement has the potential to add over €200 million in our bilateral trade with Canada.

Recognising that the new trade arrangements give rise to concerns among farmers the Minister said:

I appreciate that there are concerns among Irish farmers in relation to this deal. The concessions obtained on dairy are welcome and potentially valuable for Irish farmers. In relation to beef, it is important to point out that it will take some time for increased competition to become evident. Irish beef is globally recognised as being of the highest quality and sustainability. It has gained an unparalleled reputation that supports the rapidly increasing exports in this sector.

Read the full press release

here

.