Ottawa-Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald says he is talking with the Canadian Cattle Association about its campaign against including beef imports in a trade deal with Mercosur.

In a statement released by his office, MacDonald said he had a good conversation with CCA President Tyler Fulton and will continue to engage with the cattle sector, along with other commodity groups, to hear directly about their priorities and concerns as Mercosur negotiations continue.

“Throughout all trade negotiations, our government remains committed to ongoing dialogue with industry partners to ensure their perspectives are heard and understood.”

Fulton says the beef industry is at a critical crossroads. Mercosur includes some of the largest, lowest-cost beef producers in the world, such as Brazil and Argentina.

Canada’s 60,000 beef producers support more than 347,000 jobs and contribute $34.2 billion to Canada’s GDP. Mercosur beef imports have already surged by 238 per cent between 2021 and 2025.

“Expanding this access further with no reciprocal benefits will undermine our domestic production and stall the rebuilding of the Canadian herd.”

Mercosur beef is produced under significantly lower labour, environmental and animal health standards than Canadian farmers face. “Displacing high-quality Canadian beef with low-cost imports is a loss for our environment and our food security.”

A trade deal could be seen by the U.S. as a backdoor entry to its market for Mercosur beef products and could “trigger trade actions that would jeopardize our most vital trading relationship,” Fulton said.

“Decisions made right now will impact the future of our industry and our rural communities. Canadian beef is for plates, not trade bait.”

Speaking in the Commons, John Barlow, Conservative agriculture critic, said Canadian beef and pork exports to Europe and the U.K. dropped to zero last year, yet the Liberals are rushing into a Mercosur agreement despite the risk to Canadian cattle, pork and poultry. Mercosur countries do not meet Canadian standards on animal health, food safety or the environment.

Conservative MP Alex Ruff from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, said the beef producers in his riding say the Mercosur deal could also weaken rural communities and reduce Canada's ability to produce its own food.

“In Ontario, where most imported beef enters the market, the impact on local farmers would be severe.”

“Canadian beef producers are waiting to get more access in markets across the world. Should the Liberal government not be prioritizing export market access abroad instead of displacing the Canadian cattle industry at home”

Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, said he had also met CCA representatives. “If we talk to farmers, we hear that they are very excited about the opportunities we are creating for them in India, China, the Philippines and other ASEAN countries and places like Mercosur.

“We are working closely with our farmers. We are working closely with our industries. We are listening to their views and our negotiations will reflect the needs of Canadians so we can create good-paying jobs for all Canadians.”

CCA has started a campaign where Canadians can add their support for its concerns about Mercosur. Go to www.cattle.ca/mercosur for a form to support its campaign to send to your MP.

This news report prepared for National Newswatch