The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) recognize the commitment made on Sunday by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to implement protection for growers selling to the U.S. and taking immediate steps to restore Canada\u2019s preferential access under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is a very positive sign to see this important issue being addressed in the NDP\u2019s campaign platform,\u201d said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. \u201cIt is critical to address barriers to trade within the fresh fruit and vegetable industry and we will be closely following commitments in all parties\u2019 platforms in the lead-up to the election.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The lack of payment protection in Canada is top-of-mind for fresh fruit and vegetable growers and sellers across Canada for the upcoming Federal Election. The industry has long advocated for a PACA-like trust in Canada. The highly perishable nature of fresh produce makes the industry uniquely vulnerable during bankruptcies, risking financial ruin for those affected.
This lack of financial protection results in tremendously high risk for Canadians selling fruits and vegetables south of the border. This high risk negatively impacts the sector\u2019s sustainability, decreases investments in innovation, threatens job opportunities for the middle class, and limits Canada\u2019s export potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Implementation of a statutory deemed trust would significantly reduce supply chain disruptions and the vulnerability of small businesses and of rural communities, while also improving trade relations with
Canada\u2019s largest and most important trading partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanada\u2019s fruit and vegetable farmers are facing financial risks that threaten their competitiveness at a crucial time when consumers want to make healthy food choices and are being encouraged by their government to consume more fruits and vegetables,\u201d says CHC Executive Director Rebecca Lee. \u201cIt is important that all parties recognize this and we applaud the NDP for their commitment to making a payment protection program for produce growers finally a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CHC and CPMA are pleased to see the NDP moving the issue forward in the lead-up to the Fall election and hope to see all parties supporting this issue within Canada\u2019s produce industry by making it a priority in their platforms.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) and Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) recognize the commitment made on Sunday by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to implement protection for growers selling to the U.S. and taking immediate steps to restore Canada\u2019s preferential access under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). \u201cIt is a very positive sign to see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":28989,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28988","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n