Brussels - The European Union expects to sign an agreement with Canada next month covering meat products, which should facilitate bilateral trade worth more than $500 million a year, an EU spokesman said.
“We're optimistic it will be signed at the June Council (meeting of EU farm ministers),” Gerry Kiely, spokesman for European Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler told reporters.
EU farm ministers discussed the European Commission's proposal, with few member states voicing objections. The Commission announced the proposal earlier this month.
A deal would lead to fewer product inspections as both parties would acknowledge each other's hygiene controls and has been hailed by Fischler as an important step in ensuring health issues did not lead to trade disputes.
Bilateral veterinary equivalency agreements have already been signed with the Czech republic and New Zealand, while a similar pact with the United States is nearing completion.
Discussions are also continuing with Argentina, Australia, Chile and Uruguay.
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