Thank you.
In the interests of economy, then, I'll shorten the introduction. I'm Michael Delaney. With me is Neil Campbell. I'm representing the Grain Growers of Canada and supporting the Atlantic Grains Council. Neil is representing the Atlantic Grains Council.
Our presentation is regional and national in scope, so I'll read it and try to stay to the text.
The Grain Growers of Canada represent over 50,000 successful grain farmers from British Columbia to Atlantic Canada. From the beginning, the Grain Growers have supported the comprehensive economic and trade agreement, CETA, negotiations, as we believe new markets are essential and crucial for Canadian farmers.
New opportunities in a global marketplace are important, because we export 85% of our canola, 70% of our wheat, and 65% of our malt barley nationally. The trade deal will give farmers and the agriculture industry greater access to 500 million consumers and to GDP worth over $17 trillion. Our assessment indicates that this deal will deliver these new market opportunities for Canadian grain farmers.
The gains include increased market access, which is always positive and will be trade enabling for cereals, oilseeds, and livestock, both nationally and regionally. In a general sense, any trade deal that increases demand or reduces supply nationally is a great deal for Canadian farmers and the overall economy.
From an Atlantic exporter's point of view, we also see new opportunities around the corner coming from CETA. Any success we achieve will be tied to the strategic importance of the Halifax harbour and its supporting infrastructure, where there are 11,000 jobs, and where 1,500 vessels are handled annually. It's also the closest shipping point to Europe, so we see the opportunity and potential for more business for the Atlantic economy.
Nationally, the industry's estimates for gains are $90 million in net gains for the canola sector, over $20 million in net revenue gains for wheat, and $1 billion in combined net gains for the beef and pork sector. Although I'm here today representing the grain growers, I will say that the substantial gains anticipated for Canada's livestock sector will be especially good for the Canadian feed grain producers and will have a positive ripple effect for the value-added industry.
Nationally, the feed industry consumes about 80% of our total harvested barley and about 15% of our total wheat crop production. Here in the Maritimes, a portion of our grain production is used as fish food. Any growth in fish and fish product exports to Europe will no doubt benefit Atlantic grain farmers.
We have some info on tariff lines relative to our grain exports to Europe: for oats, $114; for barley and rye, $120; for sweet corn, immediate access on 8,000 tonnes; and for wheat, depending on quality and class, current tariffs are up to $190 a tonne. Eliminating these tariffs will give our wheat exporters much greater confidence in establishing long-term supply relationships with European customers. Down the road, CETA will lock in permanent duty-free access on all Canadian grain exports.
These are real and important gains, and that is why at the Grain Growers we encourage the government to ensure the agreement is concluded quickly.
All of that being said, the Grain Growers will continue to keep our eyes open about some areas of concern.
For example, what do we know about European grading standards? How do they harmonize with our own? What's the commercial business climate for something in the area of 24 to 27 nations?
As well, there is more work needed on pragmatic and workable sanitary and phytosanitary provisions and risk assessment processes. Harmonization will need to be considered at some level on regulatory and inspection regimes.
Last, Canadian farmers are among the most environmentally sustainable farmers in the world and are showing global leadership in developing and implementing sustainable farm management practices.
The Grain Growers of Canada are eager to see the Canada-EU trade deal open a new dialogue through an active working group or groups that will focus on biotechnology issues to address non-tariff barriers. A similar approach may be needed to move the UPOV 91, which has to do with plant breeders' rights and intellectual property. There is a similar opportunity to structure those consultations.
On behalf of the Grain Growers, I thank you for considering our views. I'll turn the panel over to my colleague, Neil.