Canadian ranchers are urging the Canadian government to end the trade agreement with the United Kingdom post-Brexit, as part of efforts to persuade the British government to address barriers preventing Canadian meat exports. Tyler Fulton, president of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA), emphasized the need for parliamentarians to advocate for Canadian beef producers during a news conference on Parliament Hill. Despite a significant increase in British beef imports to Canada, Canadian exports to the U.K. have been negligible in recent years.
The value of British beef imports to Canada surged from $16.6 million in 2023 to $42.5 million in 2024, marking a 156% annual rise. Imports totaled $32.2 million from January to August 2025, up by 19% compared to the same period in 2024. Following Brexit, Canada maintained preferential trade terms with the U.K. under the Canada-Europe Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) until a new bilateral agreement could be negotiated.
The existing continuity agreement between Canada and the U.K., intended as a temporary measure, preserved beneficial tariff cuts but also maintained trade obstacles related to differing food safety standards. Canadian ranchers argue that these standards have impeded Canadian beef exports to the U.K., despite concessions made by Canada to facilitate access to these markets.
Fulton highlighted that the U.K. is violating the terms of the continuity agreement by restricting Canadian beef based on regulatory disparities. Talks for a permanent bilateral trade deal have not resumed under the new Keir Starmer government, with scientific and technical committees struggling to make progress on reconciling regulatory differences.
Canadian ranchers’ recent advocacy coincides with the introduction of legislation to facilitate the U.K.’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). While seven CPTPP member countries have ratified the U.K.’s membership, Canada delayed its approval without providing an official reason. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with Starmer in Ottawa led to the announcement of upcoming legislation for ratifying the U.K.’s CPTPP accession.
Fulton emphasized the importance of rules-based trade for economic growth and trade diversification, urging the government to support Canadian beef producers. Resolving regulatory barriers could enhance market access for Canadian livestock producers in the U.K. and vice versa. Despite ongoing discussions between trade ministers, it remains uncertain when bilateral trade negotiations will resume. Carney’s government aims to boost trade diversification and double exports to non-U.S. markets in the coming decade.