The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is expressing strong and enthusiastic support for the Trans Pacific Partnership.
President Dave Solverson says the TPP achieves his organisation's top priority of ensuring Japan provides significantly improved and equal access to all TPP beef supplier members.
Solverson's letter to International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland points out an Australian free trade deal with Japan has given that country an advantage over Canada.
The TPP will gradually reduce Japan's 38 point 5 per cent tariff on Canadian beef to 9 per cent in 15 years.
The first step would be a 27 point 5 per cent reduction that Solverson says will put Canadian beef on the same footing as Australian product in that market.
The Canadian Cattlemen's Association estimates Canada could eventually double or triple it's annual beef exports to Japan to nearly 300 million dollars, if the TPP is ratified.
