|
|
|
|
Vegetable
Oil and The Agreement on Internal Trade: A
History of Missed Deadlines and Unfulfilled Commitments June 1993 Eight policy barriers to interprovincial trade are referred to the Federal/Provincial Agri-Food Inspection Committee (FPATPC) for resolution. The list includes: margarine, butter blends and vegetable oil alternative to dairy products. July
1994 Record of
Decision from the July 1994 Agriculture Ministers Conference includes
commitments to “bring technical barriers with policy implications under the
scope and coverage of the AIT” which includes completing “a work plan to
harmonize margarine colouring regulations by September 1, 1997” and to
“determine a timeline for establishing common standards (for vegetable oil
alternatives to dairy products and butter blends) at the Ministers meeting in
November 1994.” (Record of Decision, July 1994 Agriculture
Ministers Conference) Jan 1 1995
Ontario stops enforcing colour regulation regarding June
1995 Michael N. Gifford,
Director General for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada submits report to all
Agriculture Ministers regarding the reduction of barriers to interprovincial
trade for dairy blends, alternative foods and margarine.
The report notes “in the Canadian agri-food industry there is a
demand for a wider range of dairy blends, alternative (vegetable oil/protein
based) foods and margarine. However,
differing provincial regulations are preventing firms which process these
products from being fully competitive because economies of scale are difficult
to achieve in a fragmented market.” The report also notes “existing provincial regulations were introduced to support local firms in each province and to protect consumer interests. They were not introduced to limit interprovincial trade, however, they have had that effect.” (June 16, 1995 memo from Michael Gifford to participants in April 28th meeting on dairy blends, alternative foods and margarine) July 1 1995 Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) comes into effect. June
1996 An official on
behalf of the Quebec Premier, commits to repealing that province’s margarine
colour regulation by September 1, 1997. (June
20, 1996 letter to Lawrence Strong, Unilever Canada from Bernard. Lauzon) Jan. 1997 Quebec drafts regulation to remove the margarine colour restriction (draft regulation appears in Quebec Gazette). Feb. 97 Quebec withdraws draft regulation to repeal the margarine colour regulation. Sept. 1 97 Deadline for the elimination of technical barriers to trade with policy implications regarding blends, alternative foods and margarine. Oct. 1997
The Federal/Provincial Committee on Trade under the AIT notifies the
Federal Provincial Agriculture Trade Policy Committee that technical barriers
with policy implications including margarine colouring restrictions and other
margarine standards; and, standards regarding dairy blends and vegetable oil
alternatives to dairy products, were not resolved by the September 1, 1997
deadline. (October 1, 1997 letter to Ministers Manley/Downey
from Gifford/Schildroth) Oct. 1997 Hon. Vanclief acknowledges “there is no change in the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) in relation to the treatment of technical barriers to interprovincial trade. The agriculture and food goods chapter of the AIT now fully applies to measures that have been identified as technical barriers with policy implications.” (Oct 20 1997 letter from Vanclief to Bruce. Mactaggart, Unilever Canada) Dec. 1998
Deadline for Agriculture Ministers to submit their “proposal to
negotiate a revised agriculture and food chapter” that would include
“principles that would apply to measures that restrict the entry of product of
one province into commerce in another province.” (August
26, 1997 letter from Hon. Vanclief to Bruce Mactaggart, Unilever Canada) June 1999
Quebec Superior Court issues judgment on Quebec June 2001 Ontario government introduces Bill 87 -- "An Act to regulate food quality and safety and to make complimentary amendments and repeals to other Acts" which would result in the repeal of the Edible Oil Products Act (EOPA). Nov. 2001
Edible Oil Foods Association of Canada and its members Dec. 2001 Bill 87 is passed by Ontario Legislature. Feb. 2002 The Prime Minister and the provincial premiers complete their trade mission to Germany with the acknowledgement that Canada must tear down interprovincial trade barriers to attract foreign investments. Bernard Lord, the New Brunswick Premier, and Alberta's Ralph Klein agree to head a federal-provincial committee on trade barriers that has not met for 18 months. March 2002 Quebec Court of Appeal hears margarine colour regulation appeal by Unilever Canada; decision pending. Apr-Oct. 02
Quebec agrees to a Chapter 17 panel process with § Ontario files its AIT Chapter 17 government-to-government submission on September 13, 2002 and nominates a panelist by October 30th deadline. § Quebec refuses to nominate a panelist or file a defense submission. Dec. 2002
Ontario Legislature gives
unanimous approval to a bill that delays the repeal of the Edible
Oil Products Act (EOPA) to June 1, 2004. March
2003 Canadian Canola Growers
Association and the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association request that Alberta
challenge Ontario for its failure to repeal the Edible Oil Products Act under
the Chapter 17 dispute resolution provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade.
July
2003 United States
Trade Representative website lists Quebec margarine colour regulation and
provincial prohibition on dairy/vegetable oil blends as barriers to free trade. July 2003
Vegetable Oil Industry of Canada (VOIC),
|
|
Copyright © 2004 - All Rights Reserved - No part of this website may be reproduced in any manner or downloaded without written permission from Sean McPhee & Associates Inc. Please report any errors to : webmaster@smcphee.com
.
|