Who can comment?

Why is the government inviting comments on the new Tariff Rate Quotas and Origin Quotas?

As a result of the successful negotiation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union, the parties have committed to establish various Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQ) and Origin Quotas. 

The establishment of two new Tariff Rate Quotas for cheese will provide new access to imports of cheese from countries within the European Union, while the introduction of new export Origin Quotas across seven sectors will provide Canadian exporters with preferential access to markets within the European Union.

We welcome comments on Tariff Rate Quotas and Origin Quotas for the following commodities:

Tariff Rate Quotas

• Cheese
• Industrial Cheese

Origin Quotas

• High-sugar containing products
• Sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations
• Processed foods
• Dog and cat food
• Fish and seafood
• Textiles and apparel
• Vehicles

Who is invited to comment

We would like to hear from all sectors of Canadian society and international stakeholders interested in Tariff Rate Quotas and Origin Quotas:

• Producers, manufacturers, processors
• Importers, exporters, distributors
• Small and medium-sized enterprises and retailers
• Other stakeholders, including industry associations and the public

What will these new quotas include?

• Tariff Rate Quotas

  As part of the Canada and European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Government of Canada will give new access to imports of cheese from European Union countries. This new access will take the form of two new Tariff Rate Quotas:

  • Cheese: for the annual import of 16,000 tonnes of cheeses of all types
  • Industrial Cheese: for the annual import of 1,700 tonnes of industrial cheeses

  Information on Canada’s specific commitments for cheese under CETA can be found in Annex 2-A “Tariff Elimination” of the consolidated CETA text, starting at item 16.

  Canada and the European Union agreed to certain principles regarding the administration of their respective Tariff Rate Quotas. These can be found in the “Declaration of the Parties concerning tariff rate quota administration - Declaration concerning Canada's administration for cheese tariff rate quotas under this Agreement” of the consolidated CETA text.

  These new Tariff Rate Quotas will be implemented and administered by Global Affairs Canada under the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA).

• Origin Quotas

  The Canada and European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) includes Origin Quotas for certain products that are exported from Canada to the European Union. Origin Quotas apply to the following products:

  • High-sugar containing products
  • Sugar confectionery and chocolate preparations
  • Processed foods
  • Dog and cat food
  • Fish and seafood
  • Textiles and apparel
  • Vehicles

  For products made using non-originating, or imported, materials or ingredients, the “main” rules of origin may apply. If this main rule of origin is satisfied, there is no need to refer to the Origin Quota, and the product can exported to the European Union at the preferential duty rate. 

  Products that do not satisfy the main rules of origin may qualify as originating under the “alternative” rules of origin for Origin Quotas. Under these “alternative” rules of origin, producers can use more non-originating materials or ingredients than otherwise permitted under the main rules of origin. Relying on the Origin Quotas to export preferentially to the European Union is only necessary for products that: 1) do not satisfy the main CETA rules of origin; or 2) are not subject to duty-free entry to the European Union under the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates.

  Information relating to rules of origin for a specified list of products may be found in:

  • the “main” rules of origin set out in the Annex 5 (Product-Specific Rules of Origin) to the Protocol on rules of origin and origin procedures; and
  • the “alternative” rules of origin for Origin Quotas set out in Annex 5-A (Origin Quotas and Alternatives to the Product-Specific Rules of Origin in Annex 5), subject to a specified quantity.

How do I comment?

1. Learn more by visiting the Toolkit for information about the administration of Tariff Rate Quotas and Origin Quotas.
2. Complete the feedback form by July 25, 2016. Updated
3. Submit additional information or materials to Trade Controls Policy Division (TIC) by email to CETA.Quotas@international.gc.ca or by postal mail to:
   
   Trade Controls Policy Division (TIC)
   Global Affairs Canada
   125 Sussex Drive,
   Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2